ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — St. Augustine commissioners passed a ban August 8 on smoking and vaping in city-owned and operated public parks. The Willie Galimore Center public pool and the Plaza de la Constitucion are also included in the no smoke zones.
The penalty for smoking rule breakers is a fine up to $100 per violation.
The ordinance goes into effect 10 days after passage.
Community gardens are not included in the ban because they are not controlled by the city.
According to the ordinance 2022-24:
“Smoking Prohibited at Public Parks. It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke or use vapor-generating devices within the boundaries of any park owned by the city, which is generally open to the public as a public space, consistent with Chapter 386.209, Florida Statutes (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke or use vapor-generating devices at the Willie Galimore Public Pool located at Eddie Vickers Park pursuant to posted signs consistent with Chapter 386.209, Florida Statutes. (c) Offenses under this section shall be punishable as a civil infraction with a ‘penalty of no more than one hundred dollars (100.00) per violation."
