City of Newton
NEWTON, Kan. — At Tuesday night’s meeting, the City Commission began a discussion about possibly making City parks and trails throughout the community tobacco-free.
In April, representatives of the Healthy Harvey Coalition requested that the City consider a policy against the use of tobacco products in public parks. They presented large containers of cigarette butts that had been collected by high school volunteers in local parks and described the hazards of second-hand smoke, especially to children playing. The Commission directed City staff to review the issue and bring back possible options.
City staff on Tuesday brought back a recommendation for a resolution establishing an administrative policy prohibiting tobacco use in City parks, including smoking, vaping, and chewing. Signage would be provided using funds from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Violations of the policy would not be criminal in nature, but violators could be asked to cease tobacco use or leave the park property.
Commissioners asked about including smoking cessation information on the signage or possibly limiting the tobacco-free areas to just the playgrounds or areas around the sports fields.
Commissioners will continue to seek resident feedback about the change and will consider adoption of a policy at a future meeting.
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