Santee Council Votes To (Mostly) Ban Smoking In City Parks

SANTEE, CA -- The Santee City Council has taken the first step toward mostly banning smoking in city-operated parks. On May 22, the five-member Council voted to only allow smoking at parks during concerts and other special events.

The vote was reported by Fox 5 San Diego.

Currently, smoking is allowed at all city parks, except within the boundaries of playgrounds or tot lots. It is also not allowed within 20 feet of main entrances, exits and the windows of public buildings.

The city runs nine municipal parks, including one that's been closed for renovation since December 2018, but is expected to reopen later this year.

This week's vote to ban smoking is merely the preliminary vote; a second a final vote on the issue is expected to take place during one of its two June business meetings. If it again passes as is, the anti-smoking ordinance could go into effect sometime this summer.