Ban Butts from Our Beaches, Monroe County

Victory! The Monroe County Commission passed an ordinance banning cigarette smoking in its municipally owned beaches and parks on August 17, 2022 with the full support of the Surfrider Foundation Florida Keys Chapter. 

In June, Surfrider’s Florida network celebrated the passage of HB105 Regulation of Smoking by Counties and Municipalities. Surfrider has long advocated for banning smoking on Florida’s beaches as a pathway to reduce plastic pollution and prevent cigarette litter from entering waterways and harming marine life.

Under the new law effective July 1, 2022 Florida counties and municipalities can restrict smoking within the boundaries of any public beach or park they own, except for unfiltered cigars. Surfrider supports local municipal efforts to enact smoking bans and prevent the harmful effects of cigarette butt litter.

Surfrider's Florida Keys Chapter supported a strong beach smoking ban ordinance for Monroe County. Surfrider staff sent an email to the commission in support of the proposed ordinance and provided model language to staff during ordinance drafting. The county held public hearing on a proposed ordinance at the August 17, 2022 meeting and was passed unanimously by the commission. 

The Florida Keys Chapter looks forward to cleaner beaches and less cigarette butt litter during their future clean-ups!