Designated smoking area signs installed on Lido Beach

To reduce litter on beaches throughout Sarasota County, both the Sarasota County Commission and the Sarasota City Commission have adopted ordinances to allow the use of tobacco products in designated areas at public beaches. Beaches within the city will be marked with new signage beginning Thursday, Aug. 6, notifying the public of the change.

Twenty-one ashtrays will be installed on Lido Beach and North Lido Beach by Friday, Aug. 7, and four signs indicating the designated smoking areas will be posted at each entrance to the beach near the parking lots. Smoking will be allowed in the beach parking lots.

Sarasota County adopted an ordinance for designated beach smoking in 2007. The city of Sarasota followed suit April 20, adopting a measure that mirrors the county’s ordinance — smoking will be permitted only in the designated areas. The Sarasota Police Department and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office will enforce the ordinance within city limits, and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office will enforce it within unincorporated portions of the county. Violations of the ordinances carry a fine, however, there will be a 60-day grace period for violations within the city.

An educational campaign including signage, brochures and television commercials will be used to inform the public of the new ordinance. For more information, contact Keep Sarasota County Beautiful at 861-5000.

Contact Maggie Pahos at [email protected].