PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — Pinellas Park is the latest local government in Tampa Bay to ban smoking and vaping in its public parks.
The change takes effect Friday in the wake of Thursday's 4-1 vote and could mean a fine of up to $500 and up to 60 days in county jail for violators.
Planning Coordinator Todd Biron said it will be up to police how the ordinance is enforced, and the move is more about creating a healthy environment for people to enjoy.
"Trash can right here. There's a cigarette butt 18 inches from the trash can. Why not just throw it in the can?" said Robert Dodd while visiting Mayors Park at Freedom Lake.
Dodd said he doesn't encounter a lot of people smoking or vaping in the park, but when he does, he tries to avoid them.
"I will either cross over the side of the street or I will pull the collar of my shirt up above my nose — not to be disrespectful, but it's just something that I don't enjoy," he said.
The park is a daily stop for Dodd and his dog, Honey. He said he was glad to hear about a possible ban on smoking and vaping in all city-owned parks.
"I'm totally in favor of that," he said. "I've lost two family members to smoking, and I don't understand it."
Health effects and litter were also concerns for people at Thursday’s city council meeting. Mayor Sandra Bradbury said Pinellas Park began looking at a ban because of the group Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT). They brought it to their attention that many other local governments already have bans.
“I think we’re the last city in the county, if I’m not mistaken,” Bradbury said.
“We’re kind of matching what a lot of the surrounding municipalities do. It’s common on the beaches, for example, and elsewhere in the county. So, we kind of just want to take the next step to match that,” Biron said.
The ordinance passed 4-1, with Bradbury casting the lone vote against it. She said public parks are spaces open to everyone, and she doesn’t think any one group should be favored.
“So many times, the government infringes on people’s rights, and we just have to be very careful with what we do and don’t do for our community,” she said. “I just think that this is one thing that isn’t necessary.”
The smoking of unfiltered cigars is not prohibited under the ordinance.