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Garden Grove council directs city attorney to draft smoke‑free parks ordinance after public push
Summary
After extensive public comments and council discussion, the Garden Grove City Council voted to ask the city attorney to draft a local ordinance banning smoking, vaping and use of other drugs in city parks, with enforcement and education to be studied.
Garden Grove, Calif. — The Garden Grove City Council on Sept. 9 voted to direct the city attorney to prepare an ordinance that would ban smoking, vaping and the use of other drugs across the city’s public parks, including parking lots, after a series of public comments urging a broader prohibition.
Council Member Yesenia Munetton introduced the measure and framed it as expanding protections beyond the state minimum, which only bars smoking within 15 feet of playgrounds. Munetton asked the city attorney to draft language adding parks to Garden Grove Municipal Code section 6.32.0.03 and recommended signage, public education and fines as possible enforcement mechanisms.
Supporters urged the council to act after a string of public comments. Several residents said cigarette litter and secondhand smoke make parks less safe for children and older residents; one commenter cited a county survey saying tobacco litter appears in roughly 84% of local parks and 80% of playgrounds, and that two‑thirds of Orange County parks are already smoke‑free. Community volunteers and nonprofit organizers told the council they had collected cigarette butts and prepared petitions and artwork in support of smoke‑free parks.
Council debate focused on scope and enforcement. Munetton said the proposal would cover tobacco, vaping products and “any or all drugs” in park areas and parking lots, and recommended first relying on education and signage and then on park rangers or police if compliance failed. City Manager Lisa Kim said staff would consult department directors about enforcement and report back on potential staffing or cost impacts. Another council member asked staff to return with comparative enforcement practices and costs from nearby cities that have enacted similar rules.
Mayor Pro Tem Joe Dovin abstained from the final vote; other members present voted in favor. The motion to direct the city attorney to prepare an ordinance passed 5‑yes, 0‑no, 1‑abstention.
The council did not adopt a final ordinance on Sept. 9; the action was limited to instructing the city attorney to draft proposed code language and return it to the council for consideration. Staff indicated the next steps would include a review of enforcement options, signage and an education campaign, and requested time to coordinate internally with police and parks staff before returning with a draft.
Votes at a glance (smoke‑free parks) Motion: Direct city attorney to prepare an ordinance banning smoking, vaping and other drug use in city parks (including parking lots). Mover: Council Member Yesenia Munetton. Second: Council Member (second recorded; name not specified in the transcript). Vote: 5 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain (Mayor Pro Tem Joe Dovin abstained). Outcome: Motion to draft ordinance approved.
The matter will next appear on a future agenda after staff provides cost and enforcement information and the city attorney returns a draft ordinance.
