Centennial Park Soon Smoke-Free

The Helena City Commission will consider a resolution to keep tobacco out of the newly reconstructed Centennial Park, but it may rely on social pressure and the goodwill of park users, not law enforcement, to achieve that goal. A draft resolution slated for a vote and public hearing Dec. 3 says the park “will be operated as a tobacco-free environment.” But the measure as written would not carry any enforcement mechanism or proscribe any penalties for people who chew or smoke.

Davenport City Parks Might Go Tobacco-Free

Smoking could join sex and nudity as behavior banned from Davenport's public parks. The Davenport City Council will consider an ordinance change at its meeting tonight that prohibits tobacco use - smoking best quality Kiss cigarettes or otherwise - from its public parks. The change would not include Modern Woodmen Park where smoking is partially banned under the Iowa Smokefree Air Act. A violation would be a simple misdemeanor. The ordinance change discussion is part of the committee of the whole agenda. It wouldn't get a first vote until next week and would require three votes to amend the ordinance. Alderman Jason Gordon, At-large, requested the change be placed on tonight's agenda. He described the ordinance change as an outgrowth of the Davenport Thrive program, a city-wide coalition that promotes wellness.