This is a good ban, as second hand smoke is clearly a serious health issue and no one should have to be exposed to it who suffers from it while enjoying the neighborhood park.
City moves to ban smoking in most parks
By Terri Hardy - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Ron Michelson admits he's partial to a cigar after dinner. And yes, he smokes cigarettes.
"I'm a member of one of the most oppressed minorities in this country," said Michelson, a Sacramento resident who owns a smoke shop in Arden Fair mall.
Smoking has been nixed on planes, in restaurants, in bars, most workplaces and near playgrounds. On Tuesday night, the Sacramento City Council considered a proposal to ban smoking in the city's 211 parks. But it was swayed enough by people like Michelson to add some caveats.
A complete ban "infringes on my constitutional rights," Michelson said.
So, in up to eight of the city's larger parks, the city will try a pilot program with designated smoking areas. The ban also won't apply to adjoining sidewalks or to golf courses.
