beaches

The vote brings the city in line with other Jacksonville-area beaches. Violators can be fined $50.

Digging in sand might seem innocent, but if the hole is deep enough and collapses on a person, it is extremely difficult to escape. Research suggests more people die from sand burial suffocation than shark attacks.

Gov. Ron DeSantis noted the priority of protecting the state’s natural resources, but added that granting power over Florida beaches to the Department of Health was "ill-advised.”

Currently, the state park system mostly follows the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act, which bars smoking inside buildings.

A 2022 law allows local governments to create smoking zones and fines, enact stricter laws on butt disposal and outright bans. Cities and counties previously lacked that authority.

Many of the deaths happened on days with double red flags — which are posted at beach entrances and on lifeguard stations to warn beachgoers of potential rip currents.

The police department is working with hotels and beach commanders on flyers, signs and social media to spread the word about the ban on smoking and vaping before handing out citations.

Four months after Hurricane Ian, shards of debris have been washed onto the coast and lawns, and there is a spike in the number of cases of very dangerous flesh-eating bacteria.

In the coming weeks, cities and counties could move forward under a new state law that allows them to ban smoking cigarettes and vaping at locally controlled beaches and parks.

According to MobiMat, about 30 public parks and beaches in Florida have the non-slip, rubber mats that allow people to stay in their wheelchairs. Cost, tides and sea turtle nests are factors in acquiring them.