New smoking ban starts at Miami Beach parks and beaches

Beginning New Yr’s Day, you may nonetheless put on bikinis on the seashores of Miami Seaside, however neglect about exhibiting any butts — cigarette butts, that’s.

A smoking ban is being applied Sunday after the stroke of midnight in any respect Miami Seaside municipal parks and public seashores. Underneath the brand new measure, an individual could be fined $100 and spend as much as 60 days in jail for a first-time violation.

Miami Seaside Metropolis Commissioner Alex Fernandez mentioned he sponsored the measure to maintain town’s seashores pristine and defend sea turtles, seabirds and different wildlife. Based on the Ocean Conservancy, cigarette butts are essentially the most generally recovered merchandise throughout coastal cleanup efforts.

“This paradise is a vital financial engine,” Fernandez mentioned in a press release. “Cigarette butts usually are not the butts our 18 million guests need to see. This new legislation will assist preserve our paradise clear and delightful.”

Miami Seaside is the highest neighborhood for vacationers visiting better Miami. The better metro space attracted 24.2 million guests final yr.