The city's smoking ban, adopted in 2001, prohibits smoking near playground areas, building entrances and ball fields, leaving smokers with the parking lot areas if they want to light up. The Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District took that to the next level by placing a ban on its parks that became effective this month.

That means smoking is not allowed anywhere in Sugar Sand Park, Patch Reef Park and the Swim and Racquet Center.

In December, Sarasota County became the first county in the state to decree a ban, making it illegal to smoke on the county's beaches. Sarasota city officials followed it last month with a smoking ban at Lido Beach.

But what Boca Raton officials are thinking of doing now has failed in other areas as recently as a month ago, when Naples considered such a ban but rejected the idea.

The Martin County Commission also rejected a proposed smoking ban in all county parks and beaches four years ago.

Boca Raton officials said Monday that they first want to make sure it is legal to make such a recommendation before they formally propose it.