Ban Butts from Our Beaches, Tequesta

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 broadly supports local municipal efforts to enact smoking bans and prevent the harmful effects of cigarette butt litter.

Surfrider's Palm Beach County Chapter is spearheading the effort to pass a municipal ban on smoking in beaches and parks in the Village of Tequesta. Chapter activists presented an ordinance for consideration by the Village Environmental Advisory Committee where it was supported unanimously to transmit to the Village Manager for further consideration by the council on October 12, 2022. The ordinance is expected to be heard by the Tequesta Village Council for first reading at the November, 9 2022 meeting.