SARASOTA COUNTY — Thanks to a recent court decision in Sarasota, smokers around the county now can light up on county beaches, parks, athletic fields and other properties — most of which have “no smoking” signs — without the fear of a citation.

Sarasota County Attorney Steve DeMarsh brought up the issue this week to the County Commission after a judge ruled the city of Sarasota could not enforce its smoking ban in public places in November.