BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – A Florida senator is now proposing a ban on all forms of smoking in all public places.
This could change the lives of many people, as nearly 15% of Florida residents smoke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Meanwhile, we are already talking about smoking and there is a possibility that recreational marijuana use will soon be legalized in Florida.
WPTV reporter Victor Jorges spoke to people in Boynton Beach about a possible opening of recreational marijuana use and a ban on smoking in public.
The reactions we got? Blurry and mixed.
For Kevin Gil Martin in Boynton Beach, the legalization of marijuana is a good idea.
“They should just legalize it, then they can make money from it and control it better,” he said.
Others, like Murray Solomon, say it shouldn’t be legal. However, he said he supports the use of CBD “or anything like that” for medicinal purposes.
“I honestly don’t think we should ban recreational addiction,” Solomon said. “We have enough vices right now and I don’t think we need another one.”
Republican Sen. Joe Gruters of Sarasota is taking steps at the state level, saying he supports legalizing marijuana for recreational use but already has plans for the next legislative session.
Last week he announced that he would introduce a bill banning any form of smoking in public places.
“As we await the passage of Amendment 3, it is critical to put in place the necessary safeguards that protect everything we hold dear about Florida,” Gruters said in a press release. “This bill is a continuation of our efforts to implement common sense measures that benefit all Floridians.”
We asked the same people about this possible smoking ban in any form that we asked about Amendment 3.
Solomon said he would like to see this happen.
“I don’t think you should interfere with people’s ability to eat in peace at a restaurant,” Solomon said.
At the same time, Gil Martin believes that there are already some laws and regulations that restrict the places where smoking is allowed, so he sees no point in a new law.
“They should be allowed to smoke. They shouldn’t be allowed to smoke there, but they’re not allowed to,” he said, pointing to a Publix supermarket. “We have restrictions on that everywhere anyway.”
Currently, smoking is banned in indoor workplaces in Florida. Additionally, the state leaves it up to cities and counties to set smoking rules on their own beaches and parks.
Amendment 3, which aims to legalize marijuana for recreational use, requires 60 percent of the vote to pass.
Election day is November 5, and the next legislative session begins on March 4.
