Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tobacco Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Dade City commission approves first reading of tobacco-free parks ordinance after youth presentation
Summary
The Dade City Commission voted 5-0 on first reading to advance Ordinance 2025-03, which would prohibit smoking and vaping in city parks; the measure followed a presentation from the Boys & Girls Club SWAT students and support from Tobacco Free Florida partners.
Dade City commissioners voted unanimously on first reading to advance an ordinance that would ban smoking and vaping in city parks after hearing a presentation from local students working with Tobacco Free Florida.
City staff introduced Ordinance 2025-03, described by staff as a measure to “prohibit smoking or vaping in or on city parks” and provide definitions, enforcement and penalties. Miss Van Ervin, speaking for staff, said the Dade City Youth Council worked with Tobacco Free Florida and asked the commission to consider the change to “support a safer, healthier environment for our community.”
Why it matters: commissioners said the ordinance responds to public-health and litter concerns raised by youth and county partners and would align Dade City with nearby jurisdictions that have restricted smoking in parks.
The most substantive portion of the public presentation came from Neveah, a seventh-grade member of the Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) club at the Boys & Girls Club. “We are here to ask you to consider adopting an ordinance for no smoking in our city parks,” she said, describing a park cleanup in which members collected cigarette butts and vape cartridges and warning that small children or pets could pick up discarded products. Jewel, identified as community engagement manager for Pasco County, introduced the youth speakers.
Commissioners praised the students’ presentation. After discussion, a commissioner moved approval of Ordinance 2025-03 on first reading; the motion received a second and a roll-call vote carried 5–0. The clerk recorded an affirmative roll call and the mayor declared the first reading passed 5–0.
Next steps: This vote was recorded as the ordinance’s first reading. If adopted on second reading at a later meeting, the ordinance would be codified in the Dade City Code of Ordinances as a park-smoking prohibition with provisions for signage and enforcement described in the draft.
Public reaction and context: The presentation cited a July 2022 change referenced as the "Florida Clean Act" that staff said allows counties and municipalities to restrict smoking and vaping in public parks and beaches, and the students cited a Public Health Law Center model ordinance as a template. The youth and staff framed the change as a public-health and litter-reduction measure rather than a criminal enforcement change.
Attendance and engagement: Several commissioners personally commended the students. No speakers registered opposition during the public hearing portion about this ordinance.
