Cities and counties could bar smokers from beaches, parks and other public outdoor areas under a bill that passed an early Senate test Thursday.
The bill would expand the state's clear indoor air restrictions to more outdoor venues as long as smoking sections are also available.The Senate Regulated Industries Committee approved the measure unanimously. Richard Turner of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association voiced the main concern.
"When the smoking ban was passed many businesses spent hundreds of millions of dollars to reconfigure and construct some of their properties to accommodate both the new law and our customers", said Turner.
Turner said businesses want to avoid having the new ordinances affect those investments. Senators agreed to work with Turner's group to keep that from happening.