Florida Lawmakers Propose Statewide Smoking and Vaping Ban for Public Spaces

Florida's House Bill 389 would prohibit smoking and vaping on streets, sidewalks, highways, parks, beaches, and shared spaces at schools, hospitals, government offices, apartment buildings, workplaces, restaurants, transit stations, and stores. This sweeping measure targets both tobacco and marijuana use, but allows unfiltered cigars. If passed, it takes effect July 1, 2026.

Sponsors say HB 389 aims to shield residents from secondhand smoke while creating uniform statewide rules. The bill would supersede existing local laws in Collier County, Naples, and several other municipalities that have already restricted smoking in certain spots.

Airport smoking lounges and a few other designated zones would still be permitted under the proposal.

Collier County residents had plenty to say about the potential changes, and opinions were split down the middle. Daniel Zegarac worries the law might go too far, leaving smokers with nowhere to go.

"But it seems like they're going further — that there's not going to be anywhere that people can smoke," Zegarac said, according to Fox 4. "People that do smoke, I see them step out of restaurants — I see them in areas where they may not be bothering anybody. Those are the people I may have some sympathy toward."