Jacksonville Beach council approves smoke-free beaches, adds vaping to ban

Jacksonville Beach — The City Council voted unanimously on May 5 to adopt an ordinance prohibiting smoking on the Atlantic Ocean beach and amended the measure to explicitly include electronic nicotine devices, such as e-cigarettes and disposable vapes.

The vote followed a lengthy public comment period in which local students, public-health advocates and representatives of community organizations urged the city to include vaping devices in the ban. Council Member Janssen moved to adopt the ordinance, which passed after Council Member Sutton offered and won an amendment that defined “smoking” to include electronic nicotine and vaping products.

Supporters said the ordinance will reduce secondhand exposure, cut litter, and make the beach more family friendly. Ashley Matsano, speaking for Tobacco Free Jacksonville, told the council: "Removing tobacco products from beaches contributes to cleaner, safer, and a more inviting environment." High school members of Students Working Against Tobacco urged the council to act specifically because vaping is widespread among peers and leaves hazardous debris on the shoreline. "These products also harm the environment, and the chemicals inside them are dangerous to people, animals, and our water," said Diora Rasulova, a Sandalwood High School student.

Mayor Christine Hoffman opened the hearing and presided over the second reading of ordinance number 2025-82-23; after the amendment language was read into the record the council adopted the ordinance by roll call. The formal amendment added a list of product types to the ordinance’s definition of smoking and included a statutory reference exempting certain unfiltered cigars per Florida Statute 386.209. The final roll call recorded "Yes" votes from Council Members Golding, Horn, Janssen, Sutton, Wouters and Mayor Hoffman.

Why it matters: Advocates said the rule curbs youth exposure to nicotine, lowers the volume of tobacco-related litter — cigarette butts and disposable vape devices — and protects visitors and residents from secondhand aerosol and smoke. Multiple speakers described health risks for children and cited local litter-collection results; community organizations promised to support public education and implementation.

Implementation and limits: The ordinance was adopted on its second reading and will be codified into city code (chapter 6, article 3, section 6-45). The council and staff discussed that the city previously adopted smoke-free park rules after preemption was lifted statewide; this extends restrictions to the beach. The council did not eliminate the state-level exemption for certain cigars; the adopted language tracks the exemption referenced in Florida Statute 386.209. Enforcement, fines and the rollout schedule were not detailed during the public hearing; the city clerk and staff will publish implementation guidance and signage details.

Voices from the meeting: Several students urged inclusion of vaping in the ordinance. Lillianne Sullivan, a SWAT member, said, "Most people who end up addicted to nicotine started using tobacco or vaping products before they turned 18." Mayor Ellen Glasser of Atlantic Beach, who attended the meeting, urged Jacksonville Beach to join neighboring municipalities in restricting smoking on public shorelines.

Next steps: The adopted ordinance will be added to city code and staff will handle signage and public education. The council indicated it may revisit related park rules in the future to ensure consistent treatment of vaping in other public spaces.