Sarasota, FL: In an effort to reduce litter on the beautiful beaches throughout Sarasota County, both the Sarasota County Commission and the City of Sarasota have adopted ordinances providing for the usage of tobacco products in designated areas at public beaches. Beaches within the City of Sarasota will be marked with new signage tomorrow, Thurs., August 6, 2009, notifying the public of the change.
Media representatives will have an opportunity to see one of the signs installed August 6, 2009 at 10:30am at Lido Beach, 400 Ben Franklin Drive. Representatives from the Sarasota Public Works Department and the Sarasota Police Department will be available to discuss the ordinance.
All public beaches will be impacted, with signage erected within the City of Sarasota at Lido Beach and North Lido Beach. Smoking will be allowed in the parking lots.
Sarasota County adopted an ordinance for designated beach smoking in 2007. The City of Sarasota followed suit with a measure which mirrors the County’s ordinance. Smoking will be permitted only in designated areas. Violations of the ordinances carry a $97 fine; however, there will be a 60 day grace period within the City of Sarasota. The Sarasota Police Department as well as the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office will enforce the ordinance within the City limits and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office will enforce it within unincorporated portions of the County.
An educational campaign including signage, brochures and television commercials will be used to inform the public of the new ordinance.
For more information contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask for Keep Sarasota County Beautiful.
For more information, please contact:
Jan
Thornburg, Public Information Officer (941) 954-2613
jan.thornburg@sarasotagov.com
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