TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A bipartisan trio of Florida lawmakers is proposing a statewide ban on public smoking.

The proposed ban comes as Florida voters weigh Amendment 3, a constitutional amendment that would legalize recreational marijuana.

What You Need To Know

  • The ban would prohibit public smoking statewide and would cover all types of smoking, including cigarettes, cigars and vapes

  • Sarasota Republican Sen. Joe Gruters is spearheading the proposed public smoking ban, alongside St. Petersburg Democratic Sen. Darryl Rouson and Light House Point Republican Rep. Chip LaMarca

  • The proposed ban comes as Florida voters weigh Amendment 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana in Florida

Sarasota Republican Sen. Joe Gruters is spearheading the proposed public smoking ban, alongside St. Petersburg Democratic Sen. Darryl Rouson and Light House Point Republican Rep. Chip LaMarca.

Gruters, thus far, is the only elected Republican to endorse Amendment 3. Meanwhile, Rouson and LaMarca have yet to take a public position.

“The whole goal is for us to try to put up those guardrails to make sure the overall public is protected,” Gruters told reporters on Thursday.

The proposed smoking ban would apply to marijuana and tobacco products, including cigars, cigarettes, and vapes. Public places, under the bill, include areas like parks, sidewalks and apartment buildings, among other locations.

“As a Legislature, we should have the authority to regulate time, place and manner,” said Rouson, who further voiced concerns about quality of life and its relationship to public smoking.

Critics have attacked Amendment 3, claiming it is vaguely written to mislead voters.

The Florida Supreme Court knocked down that claim, though, when it approved the wording of the amendment and cleared the way for it to appear on the ballot in November.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is among the amendment's critics, as well as the Florida Police Chiefs Association and Florida Sheriffs Association.

DeSantis’ office did not respond to a request for comment.

If approved by voters, Amendment 3 would allow adults 21 and older to purchase, posses and consume recreational marijuana. The amendment, however, caps the purchase and possession of marijuana at three ounces. 

All constitutional amendments require 60% voter approval to pass. 

Election Day is Nov. 5.