- Mona City Council members re-consider a smoke-free policy for parks, but decided to discuss the topic at a later date
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By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Having a smoke-free city policy would benefit Mona City residents.
Pamela Goodrich, Health Educator with Central Utah Health Department, told city council members that Mayor Bill Mills had invited her back to the city to discuss the creation of such a policy.
Last year, a similar proposal was discussed but was not adopted. Nephi did adopt a smoke-free policy and agreed to make the city's parks smoke-free.
"When we had this discussion last year, there was some money available for signs but that money is not there this year," said Goodrich.
The public park smoke free process can be either a policy or an ordinance.
A policy generally does not have a fine associated by law. While an ordinance is enforceable by a fine and tickets can be issued to those who do not obey.
In the Central Utah area, a tobacco prevention and control program to promote smoke-free policies throughout Juab, Millard, Sanpete and Sevier counties exists.
Their efforts have inspired many local cities to develop smoke-free policies for city parks and other recreational areas.
"We also work with local businesses to promote enforcement of the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act and encourage businesses to establish comprehensive smoke-free policies, including outdoor areas," she said.
"We talked about this policy last year," said Goodrich, "and discussed how toxic second-hand smoke can be to children, as well as adults."
Second-hand smoke can affect non-smokers and cause death and, in Utah, the majority of people are non-smokers. Such a policy, adopted by the city, would provide healthier public park areas for residents.
"There is an immediate benefit to quitting smoking," said Goodrich. "There is an immediate reduction in heart and asthma attacks once the smoker quits."
Cigarette butts are the most common litter in parks and are a major cause of fires.
Second-hand smoke is the third most preventable cause of death.
Tobacco use in the proximity of children and adults engaging in or watching outdoor recreational activities at city owned and operated public parks and facilities is detrimental to health and can be offensive to others using the public facilities.
"There have been cases where a city has been sued for not being smoke-free," said Goodrich.
Appropriate signs need to be posted a public park and users need to be notified about the policy.
"In areas where we have a policy, there have been no problem with enforcement," he said.
Police, city officials, park and recreation employees, parents, coaches and park users are asked to help in enforcing the compliance to the policy by bringing the policy to the attention of persons violating the policy.
Those violating the policy at an organized event, especially a youth event, may be asked to cease use of tobacco or leave the city park or public facility.
Schools and churches are automatically smoke-free facilities in Utah.
Goodrich said that the public health push, in the war against tobacco use, was limiting exposure to smoking in outdoor areas.
Some communities in the state are adopting tobacco free policies for parks and outdoor arenas.
"Some areas are assessing fines for smoking in public parks, some are setting aside playground areas as smoke free zones," she said.
She said, when Delta adopted their smoke free policy, the city council was worried about how that would affect the annual car show because they feared that would draw many concerned comments.
The car show fans had not complained about the law and had complied with the rules outlined without problem.
"Can you have a policy and have a designated smoking area?" asked Bill Mills, mayor.
Goodrich said that some cities are designating smoking regions in cities.
Council members will discuss the topic of whether or not to adopt a smoke free policy at a later date.
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