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Plain City to draft smoke-free parks ordinance after council debate over distance and enforcement
Summary
Council discussed strengthening the village’s smoking policy in parks to extend no‑smoking zones near playgrounds, ballfields and spectator areas. Staff will draft ordinance language and place it on a future agenda for consideration.
Council reviewed options to make village parks smoke‑free beyond the indoor and workplace restrictions in state law, including setting no‑smoking buffers around playgrounds, ballfields and other areas where people congregate.
Staff noted Ohio’s smoke‑free workplace law already bans smoking indoors and that municipalities may adopt more restrictive rules for public areas. Council discussed a standard sign-based buffer (often 25 feet) vs. a broader 50‑ or 100‑foot buffer and whether to designate limited smoking zones (such as parking areas) or prohibit smoking across entire parks. One councilmember urged larger buffers to reduce signage needs, saying, in effect, that broader parkwide rules would avoid placing many small signs around each field.
Council asked about enforcement; staff said existing ordinance language treats violations as a minor misdemeanor and that expanded restrictions would require ordinance amendments. The mayor and staff said they expect enforcement to rely primarily on voluntary compliance and requests to leave; staff noted trespassing rules apply if someone refuses to leave after being asked.
Council directed staff to draft ordinance language for the parks and bring the proposed change back to the next council agenda for consideration.
Ending — Staff will prepare a draft ordinance that sets the proposed smoke‑free areas and clarifies enforcement approach for council review.
