Photo: Getty Images
A new state law allows cities and counties to ban smoking cigarettes and vaping at locally controlled beaches and parks.
Panama City Beach is among several communities that in the coming weeks and months could move forward with a beach smoking ban, under the new law.
Panama City Beach Mayor Mark Sheldon says the city council is waiting for legal direction on the proposed change.
But with the issue expected to be taken up later this month, he sees the proposal as helping the environment by limiting trash and simply being “the right thing to do.”
“People are very supportive of getting rid of it. Culturally, you just don’t see it that much anymore. So, they are really excited to see it go away.”
Sheldon said he’s heard objections from only two people to the proposed beach-smoking ban since it came before the council several weeks ago.
Along with Panama City Beach, communities such as Miami Beach and St. Petersburg are considering smoking bans.
The state has long controlled smoking regulations, but the new law signed in June by Governor Ron DeSantis, gives authority to cities and counties to ban smoking at beaches and parks that they own.
The law, however, included an exemption that prevents local governments from banning unfiltered cigars.