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Commission adopts ordinance banning smoking and vaping on city recreational properties
Summary
The commission adopted an amendment to Chapter 124 of the Ocoee Code prohibiting smoking and vaping on listed city parks and recreation properties; staff clarified the code still allows the Parks director to designate specific smoking areas where appropriate and the ordinance contains a statutory exception for unfiltered cigars.
The Ocoee City Commission adopted an amendment to the city’s code of ordinances to prohibit smoking and vaping in portions of city recreational properties.
Doug Gaines, deputy director of Parks & Leisure Services, said staff updated the definition of vaping and added an exception for unfiltered cigars consistent with Florida statute. Gaines told the commission the Tobacco Free Partnership of Orange County offered to fund updated signage.
Several residents and advocates spoke in favor. Victoria Laney praised the update and thanked Tobacco Free Florida and city police for recent enforcement actions at smoke shops ahead of a music festival. Vox Populi editor Noreen Dwarkin asked whether the ordinance would ban smoking “anywhere in any park” and warned the city should consider a carve‑out; staff and other commissioners clarified that the ordinance lists specific properties and preserves the existing code mechanism allowing the Parks director to designate one or more smoking areas within those properties if the commission so directs.
Commissioner Wilson moved to approve the second reading; Commissioner Kenny seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
