Smoking or vaping at Lee County beaches and parks is about to become costly – and not just to your health, but to your wallet.
First-time offenders who light up or vape on public beaches and parks will be fined $100. There’s a $200 fine for a second offense. And a $300 fine for additional offenses.
The decision Tuesday by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners to ban smoking and fine offenders was unanimous.
Sally Kreucher, a director at Lee Health, applauded the decision. "This ordinance is a critical step toward towards creating healthier environments that reduce exposure to harmful secondhand smoke, which is particularly dangerous for children, older adults and those with chronic health conditions."
Florida statutes have generally left the regulation of smoking to the state. However there were certain exceptions allowing local governments to prohibit smoking at schools and indoor park facilities.
In 2019, the statute was amended to allow local governments to ban smoking and vaping at county parks and public beaches.
The City of Fort Myers has already banned smoking at its public parks.
Unfiltered cigars are exempt under the state statute.
Lee County’s new ordinance will take affect once it is filed the Florida Department of State.
Other notable decisions by the board Tuesday were:
Approved agreements to rehabilitate 644 affordable rental units at four multi-family housing developments in Fort Myers.
The repairs are part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery allocation to Lee County following Hurricane Ian in September 2022.
The rehabilitated units will remain affordable — and not market-value — for at a minimum of 20 years through Tuesday's action.
The following communities will be rehabilitated:
- Landings at East Point — 3701 Nelson Tillis Blvd.,— 126 units for $6.1 million.
- East Point Place (Phase 1) — 3501 Dale St. — 86 units for $7.1 million.
- Broadway Apartments — 2909 Broadway Avenue — 40 units for $2.9 million.
- Renaissance Preserve Family — 4224 Renaissance Preserve Way — 392 units for $8.4 million.
Approved contracts to repair the following that were damaged by Hurricane Ian:
- Bonita Beach: Replace portions of the sidewalk along Hickory Boulevard on Bonita Beach. The project is partially funded by the Federal Highway Administration and state funds approved by the Legislature. The funding agreement for this project was approved last year. The project includes $472,110 in federal funds, $250,000 in state funds and $200,000 in local funds. Construction is set to begin in July and be complete by October.
- Pine Island: Repair the handrails along the bicycle / pedestrian path along Stringfellow Road. The funding agreement for this project was approved last year. Fabrication and installation of the handrails is about $55,000. The work will take place in July and August.
Approved a contact to build a new 5-foot-wide sidewalk for children and residents in the area of Lehigh Elementary School.
Perform maintenance and minor repairs on the Midpoint Bridge in Cape Coral.
The $330,000 project is expected to begin in August and be complete by November. There will be lane closures during this time, though not on the eastbound lanes during the morning rush hours of 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Lane closures on the westbound lanes will cease between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily.
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