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Here we go again with the never ending senseless stripping of our rights. There are many ridiculous laws regarding smoking. Outdoor smoking bans, especially in wide open spaces is obviously one of the most ludicrous.
Kathleen C. Passidomo, a state representative from Naples, has introduced House Bill 211, which would amend the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act. A companion bill has also been introduced in the State Senate by Alan Hayes. Part of the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act is a preemption by the state in the area of smoking regulation. What this means is that unlike California, where municipalities can pass anti-smoking regulations that are stricter than the state statute, local governments in Florida cannot pass their own local anti-smoking regulations.
The proposed bills would change the language in the preemption section from "this part expressly preempts regulation of smoking to the state and supersedes any municipal or county ordinance on the subject" to "this part expressly preempts regulation of indoor smoking to the state and supersedes any municipal or county ordinance on the subject." Adding "indoor" makes a vast difference because it would allow local municipalities the unregulated right to enact legislation that bans smoking in outdoor areas such as sidewalks, beaches, and public parks.
If passed, the proposed bill would be effective July 1, 2011.
Personally, I live in downtown St. Petersburg, FL, and I walk almost everywhere, every day. I enjoy walking around while smoking my pipe, and there are many nice parks and benches. It’s unfathomable to me that doing what I normally do could possibly soon be against the law.
Florida smokers should take note and work toward stopping passage of this bill, or they may find the number of places they are allowed to smoke significantly reduced. Unlike many places, Florida has struck somewhat of a balance between the "rights" of non-smokers to be free of secondhand smoke and the rights of smokers to be able to go out and enjoy a cigar in public.
If either of these bills are allowed to pass, that balance will suddenly end. Florida smokers should to visit the Cigar Rights petition page and take the steps listed to help prevent the bill’s passage and protect their right to smoke in outdoor places around the state.
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Here is a PDF of Florida Bill HB 211
The bills can be tracked here and here.
5 Responses to “Florida Outdoor Smoking Bans May Be on the Horizon”
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dave potts said:
Well, they certainly don’t like smokers down there. I just returned to Missouri from a three week trip to Panama City Beach. I stayed in a large condo which was totally smoke free forcing me to the parking garage to smoke. I was running low on tobacco so stopped in a B/M to pick up a little tobacco only to find that due to their 85% tax, a pound of Lane tobacco was going to cost over $60 per pound.
Dave
March 8th, 2011 at 7:47 pm
colorduke said:
Who elects these people?it’s really getting sad in the good old USA.
March 9th, 2011 at 9:51 am
cornguy said:
I wonder how much this has to do with protecting public health.
After all, it’s very simple. When a smoker lights up outdoors, the smoke from his cig, pipe or cigar is quickly and harmlessly dissipated. Who is in “danger?”
It appears there are those who are not really motivated by a concern for public welfare. They simply dislike the sight of smoking. Their aversion to tobacco extends beyond normal health considerations. They view it as socially unacceptable behavior.
They don’t smoke. They don’t like smoking. They want it out of their sight.
There is not even the slightest trace of tolerance here.
No, this goes well beyond trying to protect the public’s health. It’s about eliminating an activity and regulating social behavior.
March 9th, 2011 at 11:03 am
misterben said:
Yep….. I live in Palm Bay…… opposite coast from St Petersburg. The news of these draconian laws are becoming an irritant. I don’t buy tobacco in the state anymore since they raped pipe tobacco. I can’t touch a pound of OTC toby for less than $50. Cigarettes are the same. Go figure that one out. So I must shop wisely on the net to find good deals which are actually all over the place.
Sorry, but the Florida Draconians appear to be everywhere despite the fact that each time we vote them out another one was hiding in the next candidate.
I’m getting in my Kayak and go catch a big fish. Then I’m going to take the fish to Tallahassee and start slapping some of these people upside the head.
March 26th, 2011 at 9:16 am
Klaus K said:
Everybody seems to have forgotten that nicotine is a very good drug:
http://dengulenegl.dk/English/Nicotine.html
April 11th, 2011 at 1:39 pm