SARASOTA – It’s official, smoking will no longer be allowed on City owned beaches and parks.
“I’m really excited to hear that we are going to have no-smoking on the beaches, it is really exciting news,” said Beachgoer against smoking, Eva.
Sarasota City commissioners passed an ordinance that banS smoking on city owned beaches and parks at all times, except within designated smoking areas.
“I think it’s pretty disgusting when you are in an environment where you are supposed to be relaxing and chilling and in a family setting, I think the cigarette smell is inappropriate, it’s not the time and place for it,” said Beachgoers against smoking, Stacy and Pauline.
Beyond second-hand smoking, commissioners agree the trash left behind on beaches is an issue.
“It’s the cigarette butts that get left everywhere, because they just think it’s the park, it’s the beach it’s whatever is an ashtray, that’s what creates a problem, especially on the beaches,” said Sarasota City Commissioner, Liz Alpert.
“We should find it clean, and leave it clean,” said Eva. “The beaches are so beautiful and so relaxing and you just want to be in nice environment so when you see empty bottles in the sand or any trash, it’s sad, that’s all.”
The city plans to accommodate smokers in designated spaces near parking lots at beaches and parks.
The ordinance comes 10 years after the City of Sarasota was sued for passing a smoking ban on the beach.
