Fort Myers Beach bans cigarettes, vaping from town beaches, parks

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. —

Fort Myers Beach has implemented a new ban on cigarettes and vapes on beaches and parks, effective Monday, following a unanimous vote by the town council.

"When I'm sitting here on the beach enjoying the view and the smells of the ocean, besides the grass, I don't want to smell somebody else's cigarettes," said Connie Elmore, a visitor from Virginia.

The ban follows the county's lead, which previously implemented a similar rule. Unfiltered cigars, however, will still be allowed under state law.

"I think after the county ban went into effect, we saw a noticeable difference on the beaches, cleaner beaches, less wildlife affected, and fewer cigarette butts," said town of Fort Myers Beach Public Information Officer Abigail Eberhart. "I think this is really just a continuation of that."

Not everyone supports the new rule. Some beachgoers, like Cheryl Ulrich, expressed concerns about personal freedom.

"I'm not what you would call a heavy smoker, but I mean, it's still, you know, it's just like we can't come to the beach and just relax and enjoy?" Ulrich said.

Hunter Shamlian, owner of Paradise Vape and Smoke, located near the beach, agreed, but does not think it will have too big an impact on his business.

"It may deter some people," Shamlian said. "I got a feeling people are still going to want to do what they want to do regardless. You know, people will be people. I think if anything, there's more concern about, you know, if they're going to get fined for vaping, smoking on the beach."

The town is still determining how the ban will be enforced and is considering putting up signs to remind visitors of the new rule.

Elmore, however, is pleased with the change.

"We are loving the white sand and the blue water. Not so much the seagrass right now, but we're loving it," Elmore said.

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