Patch Chat: Should Smoking Be Banned in City Owned Parks?

Having a smoke with your cup of coffee outside the Starbucks in Renaissance Plaza may soon be a guilty pleasure of the past.

Council President Benjamin Boykin and Councilman Denis Power are calling on their fellow council members to pass legislation that would ban smoking in City owned parks, playgrounds, playing fields, trails, plazas and recreation centers.

Those who are caught lighting up in any of those areas would face a $25 fine for the first offense, $50 for the second and $75 for subsequent offenses. All ashtrays would be removed from areas where smoking is prohibited.

According to a draft ordinance—which is on tonight’s council meeting agenda under first reading ordinances—the intent of the ordinance is:

“…to reduce the proximate exposure of the public, especially children, to the hazards and annoyance of second-hand tobacco smoke. Further more this legislation is intended to reduce litter and possible contamination from discarded cigarette butts in public places, and to reduce the likelihood that young person will initiate tobacco use (by reducing the incidence of public smoking in places where young person are likely to be present.”

What do you think?

• Do you think smoking should be banned in City-owned recreational areas? Why or why not?
• What are the pros and cons of banning cigarettes in City-owned parks?
• Do you think municipalities should band smoking in other areas, like multi-family housing?
• Do you think banning smoking in public areas helps to reduce the likelihood that children will become smokers? How so?

Tell us in the comments

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