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Resident urges TDC to ask county to repeal park smoking ban
Summary
A Clay County resident told the Tourism Development Council she wants the county to repeal a parks smoking ordinance, citing concerns about visitor information and personal freedom.
During the Feb. 20 meeting of the Clay County Tourism Development Council, Barbara Bujak addressed the council during public comment and asked the TDC to recommend that the Clay County Board of County Commissioners repeal a smoking ban in county parks.
Bujak said the county’s ordinance, enacted about a year and a half earlier, prohibits all smoking, vaping and use of tobacco products in parks and makes violations a second‑degree misdemeanor with possible jail time or fines. She told the council that the ban did not appear in park rules posted online and that tourists who smoke could be surprised and effectively barred from some parks and overnight stays.
"Anyone planning on coming to this county and staying for a week who is an addicted smoker ... [may be] denied being able to go to the parks," Bujak said. She said the ordinance includes ‘‘absorbing and swallowing tobacco’’ and warned that enforcement could include removal from parks or criminal charges.
Bujak asked the council to recommend repeal to the Board of County Commissioners and to ensure that tourism materials mention park rules. She said at a prior public hearing she had heard a commissioner suggest revisiting the ordinance, but she had not seen a follow‑up.
What the council noted Council members did not take action on the request at the meeting. Staff and members acknowledged the public comment and later proceeded to agenda items. No formal direction to county commissioners was recorded during the meeting.
Ending The TDC's role in ordinance repeal is advisory; any change to county law would require action by the Board of County Commissioners. Bujak suggested the tourism office should ensure visitor materials clearly list park rules when promoting overnight stays or camp offerings.
