Orange City, Florida, has joined a growing list of municipalities in the state that are taking action to limit smoking in public parks. Following in the footsteps of nearby DeLand, the city has enacted a new ordinance that bans smoking cigarettes and the use of vaping devices in public parks. However, an important exception remains: smoking cigars is still permitted.
This ordinance, supported by “Tobacco Free Florida”, was recently adopted by the Orange City Commission. It follows a 2022 state law passed under Governor Ron DeSantis, which gives individual counties and cities the power to ban smoking in public spaces such as beaches and parks.
While cigarettes and vaping are now prohibited, the law makes a special exception for unfiltered cigars, which are still allowed in these areas. Florida has a long history of cigar manufacturing, and the cigar industry continues to hold significant influence in the state’s political landscape. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, the cigar lobby has powerful allies in Tallahassee and has historically made generous contributions to Florida’s political campaigns.
“Tobacco Free Florida”, established in 2007, is a public health program administered by the state’s Department of Health. It is funded through the state’s 1997 settlement agreement with major tobacco companies, which allocated funds to anti-tobacco initiatives aimed at reducing smoking across the state.
This new ordinance represents a significant step toward promoting public health while maintaining some exceptions tied to Florida’s rich cigar history.
