A new bill proposed in the Florida House aims to expand the list of places where smoking is prohibited, including adding marijuana to the list of banned substances. The legislation, sponsored by Republican Alex Andrade, would prohibit smoking, including marijuana, in various public areas, such as streets, sidewalks, highways, parks, beaches, and common areas of buildings like schools, hospitals, and government offices.
The proposal would also extend the ban to airport in-transit lounges and exclude unfiltered cigars from the list of prohibited smoking products. This move comes after Florida voters approved a ban on smoking in enclosed indoor workplaces in 2002 and a constitutional amendment allowing medical marijuana in 2016.
The bill would allow cities and counties to restrict smoking at beaches and parks they own, building on a 2022 law that gave them this authority. However, a 2024 effort to allow recreational marijuana use failed to receive the required 60% approval. The new bill aims to further restrict smoking in public places, including the use of marijuana, to promote a healthier and safer environment for Floridians.
