In the 1970s, kids swam laps at a Lee County public pool while their parents casually smoked in the bleachers or on the pool deck, one longtime resident recalled.
As a Virginia Slims cigarette ad from that era once proclaimed: “You’ve come a long way, baby.”
These days the idea of smoking at Lee County parks and beaches didn’t stand a chance during a second public hearing on the matter at the June 17 meeting of the Lee County commissioners.
A gaggle of high school students and adults said that smoking and vaping in public places is a “nasty habit” and unfair to people with respiratory conditions. Several people who suffer from asthma told commissioners that second-hand cigarette smoke at outdoor venues exacerbates their condition.
They supported a new rule banning smoking and vaping at county parks and public beaches. The practice is already banned at Lee’s indoor park facilities and at schools.
In 2019, Florida amended its statute to allow local governments to ban smoking and vaping at parks and beaches. Under the statute, unfiltered cigars are exempt from the bans. Fort Myers banned the practice at city parks in 2023.
“I know many will think, there goes the government taking another one of my rights, but don’t,” said Gary Bostic with the Youth Services Coalition of Southwest Florida. “Our children and neighbors with health issues have the right to breathe fresh air no matter where they go.”
If anyone was thinking that they didn’t share those thoughts. Speakers said that a ban on smoking and vaping at parks will encourage people to make healthy choices and reduce fire hazards.
With Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass absent, the remaining commissioners unanimously passed the motion with little comment, other than to commend the students for their participation.
Sally Kruescher speaking at the Lee Commission meeting on July 17.
The Lee County School District, the American Heart Association, Florida Department of Health and other organizations support the smoking and vaping ban, said Sally Kreuscher, director of community health and benefit for Lee Health and chair for Tobacco-Free Lee. The new rule could boost tourism by keeping parks clean and appealing to a health-conscious public, she added. “While these financial benefits are notable the primary concern is safeguarding public health.”
The rule will be enforced by Lee County Parks & Recreation with fines of $100, $200 and $300 for first, second and third offenses.
It was a banner meeting for parks with Lee commissioners declaring July Parks & Recreation Month. “Parks and recreation promote health and wellness, improving the physical and mental health of people who live near parks.”
To mark the occasion, parking fees will be waived at Lee County regional parks, beaches and boat ramps, with free admission at county community pools, on the weekend of July 26-27.
