Parks commission endorses smoking ban

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Friday, November 14, 2008

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By KEVIN COURTNEY
Register Staff Writer

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Smoking should be banned in city parks and other outdoor public recreation areas, Napa’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission said Wednesday night.

The commission unanimously recommended that the City Council adopt an ordinance outlawing use of tobacco products in parks.

This is a health and safety issue, with more than 100 California cities having already adopted similar bans, the commission said.

The staff of the Community Resources Department, which supervises parks, had recommended approval of the anti-tobacco policy.

Commissioners discussed whether to recommend designated smoking areas in parks, but decided to go with a total smoke-free policy, said Nadine Wade-Gravett, the commission chairwoman.

The city attorney’s office will draft an ordinance for presentation to the City Council.

While the ordinance may include fines for violations, the intent is that the new rules be self-policing, Wade-Gravett said.

56 comment(s)

Dirty Napkin wrote on Nov 13, 2008 10:33 AM:

" Good.. lol

So sayeth the sheppard

So sayeth the flock! LOL "

Joe wrote on Nov 13, 2008 10:40 AM:

" I don't smoke but I think this is discriminating against smokers. The city should at least designate a couple parks for smokers so they could have a nice place to go relax at and enjoy a few ciggerettes on a nice day. "

kevin wrote on Nov 13, 2008 10:48 AM:

" There goes BM 2 down the tubes... "

reason-ator wrote on Nov 13, 2008 11:47 AM:

" I guess there's nothing else to worry about. "

funnyme wrote on Nov 13, 2008 12:25 PM:

" kevin,
shhhh...what happens in BM2 stays in BM2...lol "

MarshaMarsha wrote on Nov 13, 2008 12:40 PM:

" Prop 8 passed, opening the door to strip rights away because of health or morals or whatever.

Now smokers are just beginning to feel the "wrath of the majority".

Who will be next? "

noblindershere wrote on Nov 13, 2008 1:01 PM:

" Yeah, Napa just made one giant step toward a healthier community. Love it! A park for smokers, What? Please, it is an individuals choice to smoke and put nails in their own coffins not others. Smoking should become a thing of the past. My inlaws stopped cold turker after smoking for 40 years several packs a day, if they can do it anyone can. Besides, where to people get the money to buy cigarettes now a days? "

funnyme wrote on Nov 13, 2008 1:16 PM:

" MM,
It will probably be "free speech".

I believe it's apples and oranges what you are trying to place in the same basket "

Native74 wrote on Nov 13, 2008 1:16 PM:

" The next ordinance is going to the planning commission next week and it's with regards to how many 'hoofed' animals you can have on one 1/2 acre...be aware, big County brother is everywhere. "

kevin wrote on Nov 13, 2008 1:38 PM:

" And chickens! Only 6 chickens per half acre.

I've kept more chickens than that in my house...

I would encourage all property owners to protest this one! "

yvonne wrote on Nov 13, 2008 1:46 PM:

" I don't smoke and encourage anyone who does to quit, but I think this is a bit too much. I agree that we should have a smoking ban in public buildings, but in a park? This seems extreme to me.

I would rather someone didn't smoke around me, but I also believe they have the right to smoke as much as I have the right not to.

There is just too much government in our every day lives. Who is going to enforce a ban on smoking in the park, don't our police have more pressing issues to deal with than someone who lights up while sitting on a park bench?

I think smokers need to be aware of the conditions around them before they light up, but unless the grass is tinder dry I see no reason why they can't pollute their own lungs. "

antipc wrote on Nov 13, 2008 2:05 PM:

" There is a meeting tonight @ 7:00. The Horsemens Center on Foster Rd. regarding the livestock ordinance. "

sickothis wrote on Nov 13, 2008 2:07 PM:

" Ban smoking everywhere.

For once I actually sort of agree with Kevin though. Are 7 chickens really that dangerous? "

sickothis wrote on Nov 13, 2008 2:20 PM:

" Wikipedia's "today's featured article"

The anti-tobacco movement in Nazi Germany was the first public anti-smoking campaign in modern history. Anti-tobacco movements grew in many nations from the beginning of the 20th century, but these had little success except in Germany where the campaign was supported by the government after the Nazis came to power. "

JustMy$.02 wrote on Nov 13, 2008 2:23 PM:

" Ya, like all the homeless that hang out at Fuller Park are going to stop smoking there, paa leeassee.

And when law enforcement is sent out enmass to address the smoking in Fuller Park one can only wonder if there was some other issue law enforcement could concentrate on . . . oh I dont know like GANGS.

But I quess the reality is the revinue from smoking tickets will be easy money with little effort, so there you go "

Native74 wrote on Nov 13, 2008 2:32 PM:

" Shady ordinances!!!

First Prop 2 and now people with property who want to raise their own chickens. Great. Haven't any of these people ever looked at space requirements for livestock?!?!?!? I'm also shocked that NVR didn't post this as a headline unless they are in the dark as well...

As for the smokers, I think it's a bit over the top. Where are their rights? I don't smoke, but haven't been bothered at a park before. Most people are considerate of others these days since petitions/complaints get ordinances such as these passed. "

hellokitty wrote on Nov 13, 2008 2:40 PM:

" I totally agree!!!! one time I took my son to the fuller park, and there was this one parent smoking inside the circle of the play ground, one lady asked me "is it okey for that person to be smoking around our children?' I responded "I don't know but I am leaving" I trully don't have anything against people that smoke, but PLEASE! have respect for the children, if you are going to the park, please try not to smoke close to the playground, because I trully find that disrespectfull! "

Dwayne wrote on Nov 13, 2008 3:21 PM:

" hellokitty.... Maybe they up to cover someone's body odor (hint)...

Isn't someone changing a diaper on a park bench worse than someone having a smoke...??? Reality check..... "

leavintown wrote on Nov 13, 2008 3:28 PM:

" I am curious. How many of you want to ban smoking, but voted no on 8.

Give me a break. If you are at a park in the open air, it ain't gonna kill ya. I would worry about your kids listening to other kids saying foul words more than second hand smoke that you MIGHT get a whiff of. "

MP wrote on Nov 13, 2008 4:19 PM:

" Next thing you know there will be a ballot measure that takes away voting rights from smokers.... "

mamyt wrote on Nov 13, 2008 4:32 PM:

" Funny Me - Just as long as your basket contains apples and oranges you will be ok. It's those folks with the apples and apples who had their rights stripped away. "

MarshaMarsha wrote on Nov 13, 2008 4:39 PM:

" Apples and Oranges, really funnyme?

The Majority just bullied the Minority by passing Prop 8. The Majority backed thier argument by saying marriage is a timeless institution and it was morally wrong to harm such institution.

Well, now the Majority (non smokers) is bullying the Minority (smokers) by claiming that open public space is healthy and it is morally wrong to damage that healthy open space with tobacco smoke.

I can hardly wait for the TV commercials that say teachers will be required to teach our children how to smoke. I miss those ads, and I need a good laugh.

Yum, a basket full of apples... "

Joe wrote on Nov 13, 2008 4:47 PM:

" If smoking is banned from parks then so should barbeques. The burning of charcoal is much worse for the lungs then ciggerettes. "

Dwayne wrote on Nov 13, 2008 5:19 PM:

" OMG.... What if a non-smoker wanted to marry a smoker... Would that be perverted or whaaat....

Common Marsha, have some class and be a gracious loser..... ;-) "

Napa_Native wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:23 PM:

" I quit smoking years ago and recommend everyone who smokes do the same. But by no means do I feel that I have the right to tell other smokers they cannot smoke outside. If the City Council passes this ordinance I promise to buy a pack and light up every time I am in a park.

There are other city ordinances the mental midgets have passed that we should all be aware of as well. It is against the law to play ball in the street, wash your car in the street and leave your garbage can out and visible 24 hours after the scheduled pickup.

If the police spend a single second on enforcement of thes ridiculous laws they should be sold. I say sold instead of fired because they would have to be bought and paid for to enforce anything like this. "

snowbird wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:34 PM:

" This issue is not about safety or health
It is all about denormalizing smoking
Passing no-smoking laws is a big step in that direction.
Smoke from a handful of crushed leaves and some paper that is mixed with the air(outside) or a decently ventilated venue is harmful to your health.
If anybody believes that, then I have a bridge I would like to sell them. "

funnyme wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:58 PM:

" MM and mamyt,

I am glad you GET IT...

Let's see how this NEW ordinance reads:

"No homosexuals (married or not) allowed in public parks, specially in the playgrounds..."

I wonder if that one would fly...hmmm...=D "

besmart wrote on Nov 13, 2008 8:03 PM:

" Every time they pass another law we lose freedom. Stop passing every dumb law someone comes up with. "

shareathought wrote on Nov 13, 2008 8:17 PM:

" We need to have a bunch more rules against what others are doing then, we can be "right" and "good" and we can point our finger at others to say they are "wrong" or "bad" or a lesser being.

I think we learned how to treat others from "the good book" if they do wrong, aren't we to compete to "cast the first stone"?

Sometimes it seems those who throw the biggest stones, have committed the biggest wrongs (and hide it better).

If there is a ban on smoking, then, it is only right to fine households who put perfumed cloths in their dryers, poison insects and later wash the poison into our waterways and ban vehicles with sound at decimals that hurt my ears. "

winemd wrote on Nov 13, 2008 8:22 PM:

" You know, I was just going through my dad's papers, some from 2001 and guess what, they still stink of smoke even though he hasn't been around them for more than 2 years. My dad still smokes, despite many health problems. (He also still eats cake and cookies in spite of diabetes.) I personally think smoking is a ridiculous habit - little benefit, large risk. And the smell is horrible. I can understand prohibiting it near playgroundsand I appreciate the ban in buildings, but every bit of park space? Most smokers (not all) are courteous. When I am in the vicinity of an oblivious smoker, I leave or ask them to stop if I can't leave. Courtesy works both ways and in general I think people have the right to do stupid things if it doesn't infringe on someone else. "

ADark1 wrote on Nov 13, 2008 9:37 PM:

" MarshaMarsha wrote on Nov 13, 2008 12:40 PM:
" Prop 8 passed, opening the door to strip rights away because of health or morals or whatever.

Now smokers are just beginning to feel the "wrath of the majority".

Who will be next? "

To answer your Q....how about gay people?

AND kevin? that would be BM3 down the tubes!......LOL! "

MarshaMarsha wrote on Nov 13, 2008 11:01 PM:

" Dwayne, I personally haven't been defeated as I have no plans to marry my own gender.

I opposed Prop 8 because I believe that stripping rights away from any law-abiding person is just plain wrong.

Depending on the issue, all of us will sometimes be in the majority and sometimes be in the minority. Prop 8 is just another excuse for the Majority to bully the Minority. "

matt68 wrote on Nov 13, 2008 11:26 PM:

" MM, Isn't a democracry defined by what the majority votes for? You've torpedoed you're own arguement. "

simple wrote on Nov 14, 2008 6:47 AM:

" A democracy is not defined by the majority rule. A democracy has a majority vote, but it is setup to have checks and balances to make sure not one group is being oppressed by another. The "rights of smokers" should not be put into the same category as gays, or with civil rights. Smoking is simply dangerous, not only to the smoker, but its one of our largest air and land pollutants and causes of fire. Likewise, 500,000 people die from it each year and costs the tax payers over $80 billion per year in health costs. Banning of smoking, not just in parks, but throughout our country is the next greatest healthcare revolution our country needs and will benefit all groups. Stop trying to claim some inherent civil right to a dangerous activity to all of us. "

lahrgsp wrote on Nov 14, 2008 7:30 AM:

" I think this is good! I cant stand ciggarette smoke and dont want my kids breathing it in either! Maybe they should make a law that you cant smoke a certain distance from kids? "

whatareyouthinking wrote on Nov 14, 2008 7:50 AM:

" It's not right to tell people where they can and can't smoke, and quit throwing prop 8 in this. That is ridiculous and has nothing to do with this. It is LEGAL to smoke, gay marrige is ILLEGAL. "

mominapa wrote on Nov 14, 2008 8:38 AM:

" I wrestled with this for a long time. I don't smoke anymore, but I guess it is the right of the individual if they want to smoke in the open air. It's what they do with the cigarette butts that is really the problem as far as I'm concerned. Field stripping a butt is the way to go. Make sure it is totally out - no embers, then dispose of it properly. No one likes to see a bunch of cigarette butts on the street, on the lawn, in the sand at the playground and, please, don't throw them in the river. I'm not going to tell you how to dispose of it. I think you are smart enough to figure it out.

It is just as dangerous to smoke in your own home as in a park or other public place. You could fall asleep with a burning cigarette, burn down your house and the houses on either side of you. Do what you want, but do it responsibility and no one will complain. "

14obama wrote on Nov 14, 2008 9:30 AM:

" It's just another "big brother" ploy to invade our privacy. example: A cop sees a couple of people smoking at Fuller Park and now has the right to take their cigarettes away. While frisking for the smokes the cop finds a bag of pot.
Another "probable cause" situation.
It might be better to live in Russia with all this crap coming down. We've gotta overpower this nonsensical intrusion ! "

smackers wrote on Nov 14, 2008 9:46 AM:

" Another Jaywalking law. Lets see what law can we use today to do whatever we want, Smoking, drinking, sleeping, littering, leash, Whatever!! Makes the police the Judge and jury. to stop anyone they want and without saying for what reason and run your name and anyone you happen to be with for warrants, which the courts issue without even having to notifiy anyone. Once you pass they gauntlet CLEAN & CLEAR thats when you you get the ticket for Smoking. Just to let you know there was a law being broken and they were just doing there jobs. It was for your safety and the safety of others!! Can't wait to what the fines going to be. BUSTED for smoking in the park, HA! "

JustAnotherManicMonday wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:45 AM:

" That's it, I've had it! Where are the smokers going to smoke guys? Hello? They can't smoke in homes (2nd hand smoke), can't smoke in offices, malls, movie theatres, restaurants, businesses. They can smoke in their cars or outside, 50 feet from a building. I think we've been WAY too tough on the smokers, too many bans. Enough is enough! Parks? If they're at Fuller Park, and it's too close to your kid, ask them to move out of the playground area. Anywhere else, there's enough air to dissipate the smoke. Come on, outside? If they're at Alston, and they're walking around smoking, they're only hurting their lungs. Any fires there have been caused by kids, not smokers. "

smackers wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:47 AM:

" Ha! I hope the Napa Register gets involved with this by making the name of the violators public. We have the RIGHT to know who would knowingly break such a law. Someone who would willingly release a toxic cloud into a park full of children and into the surronding neighborhood must to be made to know that this type of behavor will never be tolarated here in Napa.. Thank you to the Napa parks Commission for catching this before anyone was hurt in the slightest!!!! "

Dwayne wrote on Nov 14, 2008 1:01 PM:

" Don't worry, Obama, the most merciful one, will have his civilian defense force take care of those smokers...

Just like they did in Germany during the Nazi regime where neighbors would snitch on neighbors... Are the anti-smoking Nazi's watching you...???

It's the old punishment and reward system: If you're not being punished, then you're being rewarded... "

AKNRA wrote on Nov 14, 2008 3:37 PM:

" Why are not smokers given a “Right to Choose?” WHY is it ok for liberal democrat women to have the right to terminate their unborn babies, but not for a grown adult to smoke? Why the double standard democrats? Why the hating of smokers? Adolph Hitler and his National Socialist party also waged an anti smoking campaign which you are free to research and confirm on your own! Birds of a feather I would think. Where is the democrat belief in freedom of choice NOW? "

JustAnotherManicMonday wrote on Nov 14, 2008 4:00 PM:

" I don't think the cops are going to be running around Alston Park and Fuller Park looking for smokers.... if they are, I'm going to protest! That's too much. The cops need to be out there looking for the burglars, and the stabber, and the tire slasher, and the acid sprayer, and the hit-and-run killer, not guys smoking in the park. I've got a buddy who smokes, and he actually puts out his butts and then puts the butts in his pockets and he disposes of them in the trash later. Sometimes they end up in the wash, and he gets in trouble with the wife, but hey, he's not littering butts anywhere, even at Alston Park. "

db76 wrote on Nov 14, 2008 5:10 PM:

" aknra: I didn't realize that only Republicans smoke. If that's the case, than go ahead and light up!! "

mamawana wrote on Nov 14, 2008 7:36 PM:

" This is so friggin stupid! We have a family party once a year and pay for a space. I'm upset that the one or two that come, cannot have a cigarette in the picnic area, downwind from the rest of the crowd, they are NOT hurting or offending anyone. Good lord! "

db76 wrote on Nov 15, 2008 8:55 AM:

" Yeah, there are too many laws. I should be able to bring my handgun to Fuller park for target practice on beer cans. As long as I don't hurt anyone.... "

AKNRA wrote on Nov 15, 2008 12:48 PM:

" db76, the party which has been pushing, nay, SHOVING smokers out the door and down the street have been the democrat party. No duh that people of all political parties smoke, but its been the party of the jackarse that is impeding the right of free thinking people to choose to smoke. Rob Reiner is the lead democrat who is at the point of their phalanx I don’t smoke myself, but I do imbibe a large amount of caffeine, which no doubt will be the next thing to be outlawed... "

db76 wrote on Nov 16, 2008 10:26 AM:

" aknra: how do you figure that caffeine will be outlawed? Even in large quantities, caffeine does not cause cancer and even has some beneficial health effects, unlike tobacco, which has no benefits anbd does cause lung, mouth, and throat cancer. Also, all women in the U.S. have the right to an abortion, not just liberal democrat women. "

AKNRA wrote on Nov 17, 2008 7:36 PM:

" db76, (is that short for Decibels?) Yes, banning caffeine sounds silly, doesn’t it, but there was a time when even doctors smoked in their offices, remember that? I do think someday some holier than thou do-gooder will determine that caffeine is a harmful substance which, like tobacco, must be kept from adult thinking people. Give it time. Someone is bound to find something caffeine causes to our bodies. I understand that smoking tends to help the smoker keep down weight and also calm their nerves, or so many of my smoking associates tell me. Why shouldn’t they have that right to choose? Yes, all women in the U.S. do indeed have the right to terminate the next generation. Good thing Mrs. Ann Dunham Soetoro decided to forgo that enshrined vision of the democrat party before August 4, 1961 isn’t it? "

recmom wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:59 AM:

" I think you all need to look outside of your narrow views... The majority of people that use the parks are families with small children. Does your small child smoke? I didn't think so.. Do you want your small child to walk through clouds of smoke or play in an area where smoking is happening? I don't and am very supportive of what this commission is doing. If you can't smoke within 20 feets of the entrance to a public building, you shouldn't be able to smoke in an area where children gather! "

AKNRA wrote on Nov 19, 2008 7:11 PM:

" I would submit that your own view, recmom, is itself a narrow vision. Remember, YOU have the right, whether or not you personally would use it, to kill an unborn baby. Let smokers feel that same type of freedom of choice! Don’t be a “hater!” "

5th generation napan wrote on Nov 20, 2008 9:45 AM:

" Do a search in the internet for "Cost cigarette waste in parks". Gee an extra $100,000.00 per year for our parks would sure buy a lot of playground stuff for our parks. But no, lets waste it on picking up irresponsible peoples butts. Yah. Find out the FACTS napa. Oh, most napans dont want to do that, it's to much effort. "

AKNRA wrote on Nov 22, 2008 10:35 AM:

" Make welfare recipients go out to those parks and have them pick up the butts; a sense of purpose, outdoors fresh air, camaraderie; all good to me! It would also make them WORK for their government handout - imagine that; earning your free money! All that, and we'd STILL save the fictitious $100k which was mentioned. "

db76 wrote on Nov 25, 2008 7:01 PM:

" AKNRA, I think you mean "fictional." "

AKNRA wrote on Nov 27, 2008 8:35 AM:

" db76, yes I do believe that 'fictional' would be the better sounding usage of the word fictional, but according to my own source, fictitious can mean either a) not genuine; false: fictitious names, or b) of, pertaining to, or consisting of fiction; imaginatively produced or set forth; created by the imagination: a fictitious hero. "

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