Miami Beach will enforce its new ban on smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products on public beaches and parks at the beginning of the year.
Starting Jan. 1, Cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and other lighted tobacco products will not be allowed on beaches and parks, the Miami Herald reported. The ban excludes unfiltered cigars.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill earlier this summer that gives legal authority to cities and counties to legally penalize those smoking tobacco products at beaches and parks.
City attorney Rafael Paz sent out a memo saying Cigarette butts are “by far” the most common item polluting Miami beaches, parks, and waterways.
Paz added the butts are challenging to clean up and contain toxic chemicals and microplastics that harm the environment.
Violators could face fines or arrests. For a first-time offense, the penalty is $100. Second-time offenders could pay a $200 fine, with a third-offense fine of up to $500. Violators can also face up to 60 days behind bars.
