ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg city officials will be discussing a smoking ban on public beaches and parks next week.
Those who do not follow the rules could be hit with a fine. If approved, it wouldn't be enforced until the new year.
The executive director of Keep Pinellas Beautiful, Patricia DePlasco, says she is happy to see the discussion taking place. Hundreds of cigarette butts are collected each month during beach cleanups, DePlasco continued.
“Over 80 percent of our litter starts off on land and ends up in our waterways. We should be respectful of our environment no matter what it is," she said.
Bruno Falkenstein, who has been a turtle tracker on St. Pete Beach for years, says a ban would help protect wildlife. He says he has seen cigarette butts inside nests while out surveying.
Although this proposed ban would not impact St. Pete Beach as it is its own municipality, it would impact beaches such as St. Pete Pier, North Shore Beach, Maximo Beach and St. Pete Municipal Beach in Treasure Island.
Falkenstein says it's not just the sea turtles that are being impacted — a ban would benefit all wildlife, though he added there needs to be a balance.
“I also think when you do a ban you should have an area that is designated for people who want to smoke," Falkenstein said.
Other municipalities nearby are also moving forward with considering bans. Sarasota city commissioners gave the initial approval for a cigarette ban on Tuesday. They also moved forward with a second ordinance that would ban smoking in public parks.
Before the ordinances are in full effect, they will need to receive final approval.
St. Petersburg City Council is scheduled to address the draft ordinance on Sept. 15, followed later by public hearings.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the beaches impacted by this proposed ban only affect those in the city of St. Petersburg.