ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. — With recreational marijuana on the ballot in November, one Florida lawmaker already has his sights set on enforcing where it can be smoked if voters decide to make it legal.
The Sarasota senator filed a bill to ban smoking in all public places.
Atlantic Beach is a bit ahead of the curve when it comes to smoking bans.
The city decided to ban smoking on the beach, in beach accesses and at public parks in October 2022.
“I’m very respectful when it comes to smoking on the beach," said Jennifer White while visiting Atlantic Beach. "I clean up after myself. That’s the biggest thing is people not cleaning up after themselves.”
White says as a smoker, it bothers her to find cigarette butts littered around the beach, so she always makes sure to dispose of hers properly.
Atlantic Beach city commissioners banned smoking on the beach in October 2022, giving police the ability to issue $75 tickets, but White says she’s yet to have anyone tell her to put out a cigarette.
“No, I don’t go out willy-nilly and stuff, too," said White. "Just like anybody smokes anything else, they should be responsible and respectful of the people they’re around.”
White isn’t the only smoker that hasn’t had an issue, in fact, an Atlantic Beach Police Department spokesperson says they haven’t written a single citation for smoking on the beach since it became a law.
"We were anxious to protect our children and make it a healthier place to live," said Atlantic Beach City Commissioner Candace Kelly. "So, that’s the rule and people seem to follow it.”
Atlantic Beach’s ordinance only applies to tobacco products.
First Coast News asked Kelly if the commission will consider adding marijuana to the ban if Amendment 3 passes in November.
“We made our ordinance to follow the state, so if the state is going to amend the guidelines, we’ll take a look at it if it’s needed," said Kelly.
Other beachgoers said the mere concept of the beach being smoke-free is a draw for them, so they’re all for tacking marijuana onto the ban.
“It’s really nice to have a sanctuary from that, somewhere where we can go and maintain that family atmosphere," said Bowman Blocker.
“Do what you have to do, just don’t do it around the kids," said Togo Roshangar. "Not in these public areas where you share the whole beach.”
The Atlantic Beach Police Department said smoking citations are enforced through complaints, and it's something the department simply doesn't get many calls about.