Nederland Passes Smoking Ban at City Parks and Facilities

Source from:  The News 06/17/2016

Park goers in Nederland won't have to breathe in secondhand smoke any longer.

Smoking and electronic vaping will be prohibited in Nederland city parks and park facilities. The Nederland City Council approved the ordinance at their regular meeting on June 13 after some amending was done.

City Manager Chris Duque said approving the ordinance was postponed at the May 23 meeting. The existing code was reviewed to draft the ordinance to prohibit smoking at the recreation center, the city swimming pool, and 10 feet away from playground areas and to also include electronic vaping.

Some excerpts from the ordinance reads the Nederland City Council is concerned about the impact of the use of tobacco products and electronic vaping devices in public places where adults and children gather for the purpose of enjoying parks and recreation in Nederland.

The ordinance further stated it is a generally accepted principle the use of cigarettes, second-hand smoke, and other tobacco products that constitute a hazard to a person's health; there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.

"Whereas, the Nederland City Council desires to prohibit the smoking of tobacco products and use of electronic vaping devices in certain public places to protect the public's health; and Whereas, the Nederland Parks and Recreation Board has recommended revisions to the city's policies and procedures to prohibit smoking and the use of electronic vaping devices in city parks and park facilities," it read.

Permanent signs will be posted around the city parks that contain playground equipment.

Prior to the vote in May, City Manager Chris Duque said additional signage would be posted at all parks, recreation centers, and museums notifying of the smoking ban. He added the ordinance wouldn't affect private business owners.

Councilman Don Albanese asked what does it hurt if someone is walking around smoking. Duque said people are bothered at large events at the park, such as the Fourth of July fireworks, Art in the Park, and outdoor movies, when someone else is smoking. Also, there are children at these events and it's a public health issue.

Angela Fanette, parks and recreation director, said hazardous material for the city pool are stored at the park and smoking could be dangerous around them.

Councilman Talmadge Austin asked why the city couldn't word the ordinance for city sponsored events instead.

"We could regulate it then and not on an average Saturday," he said.

Duque said the smoking at Doornbos Park is not good for the ducks, the fish, or people, particularly when cigarette butts are thrown into the pond.

Austin said that would be littering and the city would have to monitor people all the time anyway to prevent that type of behavior.

Mayor R.A. "Dick" Nugent said the council can tailor the ordinance. Duque said it would have to be tabled to be rewritten.

Austin asked whether it would have to be tabled or postponed.

Duque said if it's tabled it will have to be placed on the next agenda. The council unanimously voted instead to postpone the ordinance and address it at a later date. Enditem