By: John Michael Pierobon
One hundred miles of the best beaches in the state, and arguably the world, lie within Florida's 175 state parks, which encompass more than 800,000 acres.
Identical bills HB 495 and SB 1576 have been filed for this legislative session. If passed, they will prohibit smoking and vaping in those state parks. Here is why the Florida Legislature must enact such a law.
Secondhand smoke is a known carcinogen and can cause cancer, heart disease and other health problems in nonsmokers who are exposed to it. Children, elderly individuals, pregnant women and those with respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Making our state parks tobacco-free will ensure that visitors of all ages can breathe clean air.
Additionally, tobacco litter creates an unsightly and unhealthy environment for visitors. This detracts from the natural beauty of our parks. Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world and account for roughly one-third of all litter. Other forms of tobacco trash include chewing tobacco tins, cigarette packets, cigars, plastic cigarillo tips, plastic lighters and spent e-cigarette pods. All of these items are difficult and expensive to clean up.
All of this trash doesn't just mar the beautiful landscapes of our state parks - it takes a heavy toll on the environment. Cigarette butts are not biodegradable and are the ocean's most common plastic contaminant. They are also toxic to animals and children who may swallow them, pollute groundwater, and leach chemicals into the soil. Tobacco trash contains over 7000 chemicals that harm wildlife and the environment, and are lethal to freshwater and marine fish. This poses a significant public health risk to visitors, particularly children and families, who come to our state parks and beaches to enjoy the outdoors.
Allowing tobacco use in our state parks, where families with impressionable young children gather, sends a dangerous message. Tobacco use is not a behavior we want to model for our children.
According to the National Park Service, cigarettes and other smoking materials are a leading cause of human-caused wildfires in national parks. This puts park visitors, surrounding communities and wildlife at risk.
Like numerous organizations, the National Parks and Recreation Association "expressly supports a prohibition on the consumption and use of tobacco products at all park and recreation facilities in order to protect the health of our workforce, visitors and the environment."
Smoking bans have proven to have a positive impact on tourism. California, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands already prohibit smoking in all of their parks and beaches. In 2024, France will ban smoking on all beaches, public parks, near schools and in forests. Last year Mexico banned smoking on all beaches, parks and playgrounds. Many other countries have banned smoking in all of their parks.
Opponents do not understand this is simply an issue of clean versus dirty, healthy versus unhealthy. Secondhand smoke is involuntary smoking. This is not about depriving individuals of their rights, because no one has the right to pollute the air, water and soil, and endanger wildlife.
Citizens want clean and safe environments for their loved ones to enjoy, and tobacco-free state parks aligns perfectly with these aspirations.
Legislators claim they support family values and a clean environment. Passing these bills is how they can prove it.