18 Normal Things From the 1970s That Are Banned in Florida Today

The 1970s were a wild time in Florida, filled with bell-bottoms, muscle cars, disco, and a whole lot of things we’d never allow today.

Back then, the rules were looser. Seat belts were optional, kids roamed freely with no supervision, and certain household products could practically knock you out cold.

Let’s rewind to some of the most “That was legal?!” moments from the grooviest era of American history.

Riding in Cars Without Seat Belts

In the 1970s, buckling up was more of a suggestion than a requirement.

Plenty of cars didn’t even beep at you if you skipped the seat belt. And most backseats?

Completely free-range.

Kids sat on laps, stood up between seats, or even stretched out for a nap across the back. It was just how things were.

Now, it’s not just frowned upon; it’s illegal in every single state for kids not to wear seatbelts. Thank safety campaigns, crash test dummies, and decades of data.

Smoking Indoors, Everywhere

Restaurants, airplanes, offices, hospitals—you could light up just about anywhere in the ’70s.

Nobody looked twice if someone pulled out a cigarette mid-meal or during a work meeting. Ashtrays were as common as salt shakers.

Today, indoor smoking bans cover nearly every public space in America. Even bars and clubs have gone smoke-free.

The air might be less smoky now, but it’s also a lot healthier.

Lawn Darts (a.k.a. Jarts)

These were the backyard staple of the ‘70s: Giant, weighted darts thrown into the air by children with no helmets, no rules, and no sense of danger.

They were wildly popular… and incredibly dangerous.

After too many injuries (and a few tragic deaths), the U.S. banned the sale of lawn darts in 1988.

Today, if you find a set, it’s probably illegal to sell or use it. They’ve been replaced with safer alternatives, though none are quite as thrilling or terrifying.

Riding in the Back of Pickup Trucks

If you were a kid in the ’70s, chances are you’ve ridden in the open bed of a pickup truck—wind in your hair, bugs in your teeth.

It wasn’t just normal. It was fun.

These days, it’s banned or heavily restricted in most states, especially for kids. The risk of injury in an accident is simply too high.

That sweet freedom of cruising in the back is now officially off-limits in most places.

Asbestos in Homes and Schools

Asbestos was everywhere in the 1970s: Insulation, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, and more. It was considered a miracle material.

Unfortunately, it was also a serious health hazard. Exposure can lead to mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

By the late ’70s and early ’80s, the U.S. began banning its use in many products, especially in construction.

Today, it’s illegal in most forms, and any building renovation involving asbestos has to follow strict rules.

Lead Paint on Walls and Toys

Lead-based paint was the go-to for durability and color, and it was used in everything from toy trucks to nursery walls.

It wasn’t until studies confirmed how toxic it was—especially for children—that regulations came into play.

By 1978, the U.S. banned the use of lead paint in residential buildings and children’s products.

Now, finding it in old homes requires special remediation. It’s banned, but its effects linger.

Hitchhiking on Highways

It was the ultimate form of spontaneous travel—thumb out, hope high.

In the ’70s, hitchhiking was seen as a rite of passage, especially for young Americans chasing adventure. No rideshare apps, just strangers helping strangers.

But over time, stories of crime and danger shifted public perception. States began passing laws to restrict or ban hitchhiking altogether, especially on interstates.

Today, it’s largely discouraged. And in many places, flat-out illegal.

No Helmets on Bikes or Motorcycles

In the 1970s, helmets were rare. Most kids (and even adults) rode bikes or motorcycles with their hair flying free.

It wasn’t considered reckless. It was just how you did it.

But as head injury data became more public, laws changed fast. Helmet laws are now widespread, especially for children.

What once felt like freedom now comes with a legal requirement for safety.

Candy Cigarettes for Kids

They looked like real cigarettes. They came in little boxes. And kids loved them.

Candy cigarettes were everywhere in the ’70s, normalizing the look and feel of smoking at a young age.

Eventually, people realized how problematic that was. Many states banned them, and most companies stopped producing them altogether.

Now, they’re considered wildly inappropriate and are banned in some places altogether.

School Spankings and Corporal Punishment

In the ’70s, getting swatted by a teacher wasn’t unusual. It was part of classroom discipline.

Paddles hung behind desks. Principals kept rulers ready. Parents often supported it.

Today, most states have banned corporal punishment in schools, and it’s widely viewed as abusive rather than corrective.

There are still a few holdouts, but the practice is nearly extinct.

Walking to the Store Alone as a Young Kid

Eight-year-olds buying bread by themselves wasn’t strange in the 1970s. It was a normal, everyday errand.

Parents trusted their neighborhoods. No cell phones, no constant check-ins.

Now?

It’s enough to spark a call to child protective services. Some states even have laws against leaving kids unsupervised in public.

What was once seen as independence is now seen as risky parenting.

No Child Car Seats Required

In the 1970s, car seats were rare. And when they existed, they were more about keeping kids in place than keeping them safe.

There were no strict laws about age, weight, or how long a kid needed to be in one. Most babies just sat on laps.

Today, child passenger safety laws are strict and vary by state. Car seats are now legally required and rigorously crash-tested.

The change probably saved millions of lives, but it’s wild to think how recent the shift really was.

Toy Guns That Look Like the Real Thing

In the 1970s, toy guns were made to look realistic—black, heavy, and often indistinguishable from the real thing unless you looked closely.

They were sold everywhere, and kids played “cops and robbers” without anyone batting an eye.

Today, it’s a different story. Federal regulations require toy guns to have bright orange tips or markings so they can’t be mistaken for actual firearms.

Many cities and states have even banned realistic-looking toy weapons entirely due to safety concerns.

Leaving Kids in the Car While Running Errands

Back then, it was normal to leave your child in the car while you dashed into the post office or picked up milk. Windows cracked, engine off.

It was just considered practical. Nobody called it neglect. In fact, most parents didn’t think twice about it.

Today, it’s considered dangerous and, in many states, illegal—especially during hot weather or for extended periods.

Leaving a child unattended in a vehicle can now lead to serious legal consequences.

Riding Bikes at Night Without Lights or Reflectors

Nighttime bike rides were a childhood rite of passage. No helmets, no lights, just a little pedal-powered freedom under the stars.

In the 1970s, most bikes didn’t come with safety lights, and few riders used reflectors. Visibility wasn’t a priority.

Today, it’s required by law in most places to have front and rear lights or reflectors when riding after dark.

It’s all part of a broader push toward safer streets and more responsible cycling.

Playing on Metal Playground Equipment Over Concrete

The neighborhood playground in the ’70s? A scorching hot metal jungle gym sitting over a slab of unforgiving concrete.

Slides could burn your skin, and falls meant bruises, or worse. But nobody thought much of it. That was just “playing.”

Now, playgrounds must meet strict safety standards. Equipment is made from plastic or coated metals, and the ground is usually covered in rubber mulch or foam padding.

What was once normal fun is now considered a liability nightmare.

Burning Trash in the Backyard

In the 1970s, backyard burn barrels were a common sight in American neighborhoods. People tossed in everything—paper, plastics, even rubber.

It was seen as a convenient way to get rid of household waste without weekly trash pickup.

But over time, the environmental and health hazards became too big to ignore. Toxic fumes, fire risks, and pollution led to widespread bans.

Today, most local laws strictly prohibit open burning of trash, especially in residential areas.

Giving Kids Sips of Alcohol at Family Parties

Back in the day, it wasn’t unusual for a parent or uncle to hand a child a sip of beer or wine “just for fun” at a backyard barbecue.

It was seen as harmless, even charming, like a rite of passage into adulthood.