Following in the footsteps of other Tampa Bay area cities and counties, Polk County may make public and county-owned parks smoke-free after a vote next week.
Next Tuesday, following a public hearing, county commissioners will vote on whether to ban smoking and vaping at public parks.
After a change in state law, which gave cities and counties the discretion to pass such an ordinance, Sarasota County and the city of Clearwater banned smoking at their beaches.
Florida law allows counties and municipalities to restrict smoking in county-owned public parks and beaches. The law does not apply to unfiltered cigars.
Sarasota County, Florida has a smoking ban that went into effect on October 1, 2023.
The ban applies to all county-owned beaches, beach access points, parks, natural areas, and youth athletic and play areas.
The county is updating park signage and educating the public about the change.
In Sarasota County those who break the law can face a fine of up to $74.
The Florida Legislature enacted House Bill (HB) 105 on July 1, 2022, which amended part II of Chapter 386, Florida Statutes.
“Outdoors should be a smoke-free zone. It is a public facility,” said Commissioner George Lindsey.
Commissioner Lindsey said he was presented with the idea for the ban by a youth group called “SWAT,” Students Working Against Tobacco.
He worked with the county attorney and sheriff’s office to get it on the agenda next week.
“Nobody’s going to get arrested for doing it but it’s giving the public notice and adding a little peer pressure to behave in a responsible manner around kids in open air,” said Commissioner Lindsey.
The public hearing on the smoking ban is scheduled for Tuesday at the regular county commission meeting in Bartow.