Indian Rocks Considers Cigarette Littering Fine

Smoke on the beach? You better take care of your butts or you could be hit with a $500 fine.

Indian Rocks Beach is considering a $500 fine for littering the beach with a cigarette butt, according to the Belleair Bee.

Commissioners brought up the issue in the Dec. 13 workshop. 

Commissioner Terry Hamilton-Wollin met with many residents pushing for more smoke-free zones in Indian Rocks Beach. 

The meeting moved from setting up smoke-free zones to stricter enforcement of the littering of cigarette butts.

Commissioners heard from experts who explained how the cigarette butts can be harmful for the native wildlife and are a danger to the ecosystem.

Some Indian Rocks Beach residents were concerned about more tax dollars being spent on issues that limit the rights of smokers.

City Attorney Maura Kiefer was asked to write up a proposal for the $500 fine to be presented at the next meeting on Jan. 10. 

!What do you think of the proposed fine? Let us know in the comments.