Committee advances ordinance to ban smoking and vaping within 25 feet of playgrounds and playfields

Bill 32, an ordinance amending the city code to prohibit smoking or vaping any substance within 25 feet of playgrounds, recreational fields and courts, was read into the record and advanced out of the Parks & Recreation Committee on a voice vote.

Staff read the ordinance text, which lists playgrounds and a variety of recreational courts and fields (baseball, basketball, football, handball, softball, tennis, volleyball and similar areas). A presenter associated with Blue Zones (identified in the meeting as a representative of that nonprofit) told the committee the change was developed with advocacy partners to protect young children from secondhand smoke and to ensure fresh air at parks when families bring children to play.

“My sense is this is a really beneficial code to protect young children that are playing on playgrounds and making sure that there’s no secondhand smoke near the areas where children play in parks,” the presenter said during public comment.

Multiple public commenters echoed support, saying the measure would keep smoke away from children and create healthier park environments. A resident said the change “will be an opportunity to do something really big for the community.”

Committee member (speaker 4) moved to advance the bill favorably; Chair (speaker 2) seconded. After a brief pause for public input, the committee adopted a voice vote to move Bill 32 forward from committee for further consideration by the full council.

The committee vote advances the ordinance for the next legislative steps; it is not a final adoption. The committee record shows the motion to move the bill forward passed by voice vote and was recorded as favorable by the Chair.