The Mitchell Park Board voted to adopt a campus smoking policy prohibiting smoking, vaping and smokeless tobacco within 100 feet of the Recreation Center entrances and on campus property. The board approved the policy after a staff presentation and discussion of enforcement and signage.

Park recreation staff member Thomas, who introduced the proposal, said the current rule already bans smoking inside the building but allowed people to stand at the entrance. "It is against policy to smoke, vape, chew in the rec center," Thomas said, adding the new rule would push people away from the front mezzanine and 24/7 access doors where students and youth gather.

The policy borrows language from a Department of Health model and extends the restriction to employees as well as visitors. Thomas told the board staff has already spoken with several people who smoke near the entrances and that the board lacks jurisdiction to police activity off-site, but the new policy gives staff the authority to enforce a campus boundary.

Under the policy the park will post signs at the main entrance, at the 24/7 access door and at the 100-foot line around the facility. Thomas said the visible signs and a prohibition that explicitly includes vaping and smokeless tobacco will help reduce secondhand smoke reaching the building. "You can smell it and that's right where Chris is and she don't need that," Thomas said, referring to staff who work near the main doors.

A board member moved to approve the policy and a member seconded; the motion carried. The board did not attach a civil penalty; enforcement will rely on staff requests that individuals move outside the 100-foot boundary and on signage. Board members suggested staff notify regular users of the new rule and coordinate on placement of signs.

The policy takes effect immediately; staff will install the initial signs at the east main entrance and the west 24/7 access point and add markers at the perimeter to indicate the 100-foot line.