Two Osceola County high school students urged the Kissimmee City Commission on Oct. 20 to adopt a tobacco-free parks ordinance to protect children and reduce tobacco litter.

Karina Esperanza, a student at Osceola High School and member of Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), testified that secondhand smoke has no safe level and that smoke-free parks reduce exposure and can discourage youth from starting tobacco or vaping (transcript 2199.8398–2320.305). She described litter from cigarette butts and vape cartridges found during park cleanups and urged the city to act.

Lara Moreira, also a SWAT member and Osceola high school student, reiterated the health risks of secondhand smoke, noting U.S. and global mortality figures cited to the commission, and asked the city to add a tobacco-free parks ordinance to a future agenda (transcript 2429.225–2598.605).

Staff follow-up: Deputy City Manager Desiree Matthews said the students provided materials at a prior event and that staff will follow up and report back to the commission. Mayor Jackie Espinosa and other commissioners praised the students’ leadership and encouraged continued engagement (transcript 2613.7–2635.735).

What the students requested: A citywide ordinance banning smoking and vaping in parks, citing harms to children, asthma triggers, normalization of smoking behavior and toxic litter that harms wildlife and children.

Provenance: Public comments begin with Karina Esperanza’s remarks (transcript 2199.8398) and conclude with staff and mayoral responses promising follow-up (transcript 2613.7–2635.735).