VERO BEACH — More discussion and review is needed on creating tobacco-free zones at parks before the Vero Beach Recreation Commission will feel comfortable making a recommendation to the Vero Beach City Council.
The commission met Tuesday for the second time to discuss establishing such zones around playgrounds, recreational facilities and beaches – but decided against sending a recommendation just yet to the City Council citing the need for more review.
Without the commission’s chair and vice chair in attendance, members agreed to wait to hear from them before making a decision.
“Parks are about clean air, natural beauty and engaging in healthy activities,” said Substance Abuse Council representative Mary Burkins, adding that children who see smoking in family-friendly environments, such as parks, begin to view smoking as an acceptable behavior.
Burkins and others have asked to post “No Smoking” and “Tobacco-Free Zone” signs at city parks and other venues to curb children’s exposure.
“There is no safe level of second-hand smoke,” Burkins said.
She told the commission that it is a myth that people won’t abide by the signs.
“Most people will self-enforce when they see a sign,” Burkins said. And those who don’t could be asked to leave the area when children are present.
City Manager Jim O’Conner told the Recreation Commission that it is the city staff’s preference to not make the signs legally binding. He explained that it would be difficult to take to court and that he couldn’t see a judge placing someone in jail for smoking in a park.
Prior to the commission deferring the matter to a later date, O’Conner told the members he would like to take the issue to the Vero Beach City Council in October and, if approved, start placing the signs at the parks in November.
Tobacco-Free Zone supporters have requested signs at playgrounds, recreational facilities such as Leisure Square Pool and beaches, noting that not only does second-hand smoke pose a health risk, but also the discarded cigarette butts.
Commissioners did not appear ready to extend the smoke-free zones to the beaches.
“I have some reservations, although I am not a smoker,” member Dr. Daniel Stanley said. “I don’t like smoking in any shape or form but I think this is more restricted” than it should be.
Though he understood the request to prohibit smoking at the beaches, he said he would rather see the limitation be based on the time of day. He suggested that after 6 p.m. – when most kids are not at the beach – smoking be allowed.
He also said that he would like to see smoking-designated areas at parks that would allow adults with children to be able to have a smoke while still keeping their kids within sight.
“We need to represent all people,” Dr. Stanley said.
Commission member Greg Holton told his fellow members that he supports posting the signs, explaining that he lost his best friend to cancer due to smoking.
“Maybe enough signs will help someone decide they can survive without (a cigarette),” he said.
The commission is expected to take up the issue at its next meeting before finalizing a recommendation to the Vero Beach City Council.