Daytona Beach Shores leaders considering banning smoking at city parks

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. — The right to light up on Central Florida beaches is now up for debate.

At their next meeting, the Daytona Beach Shores City Council is set to hear the first reading of a new ordinance that would ban smoking at all city parks.

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They’re only able to take the ban up for consideration thanks to a new state law giving local governments the power to do so.

However, some Daytona Beach Shores officials say they want to hear from Volusia County leaders on the matter before they make a decision.

According to the non-profit, The Ocean Conservancy, cigarette butts are the most common form of trash found on the beach.

While cities like Daytona Beach Shores can now petition to make a change, the beaches are ultimately controlled by the county.

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The new law gives those local governments the power to ban smoking on the beach.

Daytona Beach Shores leaders say they plan to reach out to the county to discuss whether they might consider the ban.

New Smyrna Beach Mayor Russ Owen says he would support such a ban because he feels it would limit litter on the beach.

Others say, while they understand litter is an issue, they don’t think extra rules are needed. Instead, they argued for putting more emphasis on making sure people dispose of their butts appropriately when they’re done.

Officials with Volusia County’s other coastal cities: Ormond Beach, Ponce Inlet, and Daytona Beaches, each say they haven’t had any conversations with the county about a potential smoking ban at this time.

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In a statement, Volusia County Commission Chair Jeff Brower said he would need to hear from his constituents before making a decision.

While he supports a person’s right to smoke outdoors, Brower says he would favor a ban because he feels smoking is a major contributor to litter on the beach.

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