Title
Approval of Smoke and Vape-Free Parks
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Parks and Recreation Advisory committee and the General Government Committee recommend banning smoking and vaping from Olympia's parks.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve banning smoking and vaping from Olympia's parks and direct staff to bring forward a proposed ordinance change.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a ban on smoking and vaping from Olympia's parks.
Staff Contact:
Jonathon Turlove, Associate Director, Parks Arts and Recreation, 360.753.8068
Presenter(s):
Jonathon Turlove, Associate Director, Parks Arts and Recreation, 360.753.8068
Background and Analysis:
Smoking in parks is a problem due to the dangers of secondhand smoke to other park users, litter, risk of fire, and the fact that it conflicts with the goals of parks being healthy places. While there is less documented research on the health effects of vaping/e-cigarettes, the FDA has warned that an analysis of e-cigarettes found that many contained toxic and/or carcinogenic chemicals.
Currently smoking, vaping, and the use of e-cigarettes is allowed in all of Olympia's parks. In 2003, Council passed a resolution requesting that people not smoke near playgrounds and signage was installed at park playgrounds at that time. While smoking marijuana is currently illegal in all public places, including parks, this ban will clarify that smoking any substance, including marijuana, would become prohibited in Olympia parks.
Over 1,200 cities have made their parks smoke/tobacco free. This includes many in Washington including Seattle, Tacoma, and Vancouver. Most cities that are prohibiting smoking in their parks are including the prohibition of vaping/e-cigarettes. Some cities have made their parks completely tobacco-free, extending the ban to chewing tobacco.
At their meeting on May 19, 2016, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) recommended that smoking, vaping, and the ...
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