HomeMy WebLinkAboutModel Tobacco-Free Policy
[City/County]-Owned
Outdoor Recreational Areas
Model Tobacco-Free Policy
Section 1: Purpose
1.1.
The [City/County] is committed to providing safe and healthy environments.
1.2.
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the U.S.
1.3.
Exposure to secondhand smoke has negative health impacts and the U.S. Surgeon General
has determined there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
1.4.
Electronic delivery devices, more commonly referred to as electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes
typically contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, and their use (1) closely resembles and
purposefully mimics the act of smoking, (2) produces an aerosol or vapor of undetermined and
potentially harmful substances, (3) is increasing among both adults and youth, (4) is especially
concerning among youth because of the negative impacts of nicotine on the developing adolescent
brain, (5) threatens to re-normalize smoking, potentially jeopardizing tobacco control efforts of the
past and present, and (6) creates confusion and leads to difficulties enforcing smoking
prohibitions.
1.5.
Cigarettes consumed in outdoor public places are often discarded on the ground as an
environmental blight, diminishing the beauty of recreational areas, requiring additional maintenance
expenses to clean up, and posing a fire risk as well as risk to human and animal health through
potential ingestion and contamination of water sources.
1.6.
The tobacco industry advertises at and sponsors recreational events to foster a connection
between tobacco use and recreation.
1.7.
The [City/County] believes parents, coaches, leaders, and officials involved in recreation are
role models for youth and can have a positiveeffect on the lifestyle choices they make.
1.8.
The[City/County]hasdetermined
that prohibiting the use of tobacco products and electronic delivery devices in all [City/County]
recreational areas serves to protect the health, safety and welfare.
Section 2: Definitions
2.1. All times
means 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
2.2. Electronic delivery device
means any product containing or delivering nicotine, lobelia, or any
other substance intended for human consumption that can be used by a person to simulate
smoking in the delivery of nicotine or any other substance through inhalation of aerosol or vapor
from the product. The term includes, but is not limited to, devices manufactured, distributed,
marketed or sold as e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, vape pens, or e-hookah.
2.3. Recreational areas
means all facilities, parks, trails, open space, and other property owned,
leased, rented, contracted, used, or controlled by [City/County] for parks and recreational purposes.
The term includes, but is not limited to, restrooms, spectator and concession areas, playgrounds, athletic
fields, beaches, and aquatic areas.
2.4. Smoke or smoking
means inhaling or exhaling smoke from any lighted or heated cigar,
cigarette, pipe, or any other tobacco or plant product, or inhaling or exhaling aerosol or vapor from
any electronic delivery device. Smoking includes being in possession of a lighted or heated cigar
cigarette, pipe, or any other tobacco or plant product intended for inhalation, or an electronic
delivery device that is turned on or otherwise activated.
2.5. Tobacco or tobacco product
means any product containing, made, or derived from tobacco
that is intended for human consumption, whether chewed, smoked, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled,
snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means, or any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco
product including but not limited to cigarettes; cigars and other smoking tobacco; snuff and other
chewing tobacco; electronic delivery devices; and any other kinds and forms of tobacco. The term
excludes any product that has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration
for sale as a tobacco cessation product, as a tobacco dependence product, or for other medical
purposes, and is being marketed and sold solely for such an approved purpose.
2.6. Tobacco use
means the act of smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco, or the use of any other
tobacco product in any form.
Section 3: Policy
3.1.
Tobacco use is prohibited at all times in or on all recreational areas.
3.2.
It is not a violation of this policy to use tobacco in or on recreational areas as part of a Native
American spiritual or cultural ceremony. Approval from [City/County] administration must be requested
and received prior to the ceremony.
Section 4: Enforcement
4.1.
Signage will be posted at strategic locations to inform the community and recreational area
users about the policy.
4.2
[City/County] staff and volunteers will be notified about this policy through the employee manual.
4.3
The success of this policy depends on the consideration and cooperation of all. Enforcement of
the policy is a shared responsibility of [City/County] staff and recreational area users. [City/County]
staff will communicate the policy to event organizers. [City/County] staff will also make periodic
observations of recreational areas to monitor for compliance.
4.4
Any individual found violating this policy will be reminded and asked to comply before being
subject to ejection from the recreational area. [City/County] staff found violating this policy
may be subject to disciplinary action.
Section 5: Effective Date
This policy is effective on [effective date].
Appropriate [City/County] Official Date