Cigarette smoke, vaping may soon be banned at some Panama City Beach areas

Nathan Cobb, The News Herald
·2 min read
Panama City Beach officials approved the first reading of an ordinance to ban cigarette smoking and vaping at city parks, public beach accesses and along the sandy beach within 400 feet of the Russell-Fields Pier.
Panama City Beach officials approved the first reading of an ordinance to ban cigarette smoking and vaping at city parks, public beach accesses and along the sandy beach within 400 feet of the Russell-Fields Pier.

PANAMA CITY BEACH — It soon might be illegal to light up a cigarette or puff a vape in some areas on the Beach.

The Panama City Beach City Council on Thursday approved the first reading of an ordinance to ban cigarette smoking and vaping at city parks, public beach accesses and along the sandy beach within 400 feet of the Russell-Fields Pier.

"This is not (for) the entirety of the beach, (but at some) city controlled areas," Councilman Michael Jarman said.

Earlier story: Panama City Beach may prohibit vapes, cigarettes on beach

Florida House Bill 105: Florida Gov. DeSantis could restore home rule with local beach smoking ban

The council is able to consider such an ordinance because of Florida House Bill 105, which allows local governments to ban cigarette smoking and vaping on beaches and at parks.

The bill was passed by the House in February and the Senate in March, before it was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 24 and became law July 1.

Unfiltered cigars were exempt from the state legislation. This means if the Panama City Beach ordinance is approved, people still could smoke cigars at all city areas where cigarettes and vapes are prohibited.

The only exceptions for cigarette smoking and vaping at those areas would be at certain special events, smoking sites designated by the city manager and from within a car.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "cigarette butts are a pervasive, long-lasting and toxic form of marine debris."

Officials also have said they are difficult to remove from the sandy beach.

The first reading of the local smoking ban passed 3-2. Jarman, Mayor Mark Sheldon and Councilman Paul Casto were in favor of the ban, while council members Phil Chester and Mary Coburn were not.

A second reading will occur at the City Council meeting on Nov. 10.

"I think it's a very elitist piece of legislation that Tallahassee has given us to allow unfiltered cigars and not cigarette (and vape) smoking," Coburn said. "I'm not a smoker, (and) I would like to encourage people not to smoke ... but I just feel like this really infringes on our personal freedoms."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Beach ban on cigarette smoking, vaping takes first steps