From our news partners at seattlepi.com:
After April 1, add Seattle’s parks to the list of places smokers are no longer welcome.
Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent Timothy Gallagher has signed off on a new code of conduct for the city’s more than 400 parks. A ban on smoking and all tobacco products is included. The West Seattle Blog first reported the news.
Initital proposals included spitting as a behavior that could’ve been banned, but officials backed off that one after people complained that it was too intrusive.
Violators for minor infractions like smoking could receive warnings or be banned from parks for up to a day for a first offense. More serious behavioral problems – like selling or using drugs or assault – could get a person banned for up to a year.
In December City Council members Tom Rasmussen, Sally Clark and Nick Licata wrote Gallagher, urging him to adopt a smoking ban.
In 2005 Washington’s voters passed one of the nation’s strictest smoking bans, barring the behavior in bars, restaurants, clubs, bowling alleys and non-tribal casinos. There’s also a rule that forbids lighting up within 25 feet of doors, windows and vents of these places, though that rule is rarely enforced. Passersby are exempted.
By Chris Grygiel
What do you think? Share your opinions in the comments.
Update, 7:45 p.m. The smoking ban has been relaxed:
The complete ban on smoking in Seattle’s 400 public parks has been tossed out one day after it was announced.
Late Thursday Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent Tim Gallagher relaxed the rule that would’ve gone into effect April 1, instead going with a less restrictive prohibition favored by the park board.
“Based on the input from the public that followed my initial decision I have decided that a gradual approach to a smoking ban is reasonable,” Gallagher said in a statement.
Read more at seattlepi.com.
