Smoking in Public Parks
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (121621)
Gainesville, Florida
February 8, 2016 8:17pm CST
It is becoming more common to see cities and towns across the U.S. enacting new ordinances and laws to curb smoking in public places. Many places already have laws in place that prevent smoking inside of restaurants, bars, government buildings, and public transportation. In addition, smoking in public parks is now becoming taboo as well.
While the city I live in has not gone so far as to make smoking in public parks against the law, they have taken a different approach to curb the habit by enacting a public education campaign regarding smoking. New signs have gone up all over our public parks listing them as "smoke-free zones." The signs have a picture of a cigarette with a red circle and a diagonal slash through it. While technically not illegal to smoke in our parks, they are sending a strong message that they do not want people smoking there.
The campaign seems to be paying off, as surveys taken before and after the signs were put in place have shown to have made a serious impact on the number of people smoking in the parks. The before and after study was twofold: one, volunteers counted the percentage of people smoking in the park; and two, volunteers went around and collected and counted cigarette butts thrown on the ground. After the signs were put in the parks, there was a significant decrease in the number of people smoking in the parks, as well as a significant decrease in cigarette butts counted.
What is your view on smoking in public parks? Should it be allowed, or should it be outlawed?
25 people like this
26 responses
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
9 Feb 16
I live in California. We don't allow smoking anywhere that can impact other people. I think this is best. Why should someone else be able to put their poison into my lungs? I am anti anything that hurts other people.
7 people like this
@LadyDuck (471601)
• Switzerland
9 Feb 16
@ElizabethWallace I agree, at least you can show the sign. I hope that one day this bad habit disappear from the face of the earth.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Feb 16
I don't know where we are in the stage of it, but I think I remember reading somewhere that Florida was going to pass a law that made it illegal for parents to smoke in any confined area where children are present, including their homes and cars. I really hope that it is true that they are working on that law! I abhor all smoking in general, but parents smoking in cars with children in them is the absolute worst!
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (471601)
• Switzerland
10 Feb 16
@moffittjc In Switzerland the percentage of smokers is 28.2% of the population, a little more than the United States where it is around 20%. Most of smokers are youngsters. There are European countries where the percentage is higher, but not as it was in the past, thanks to the anti smoke laws. The big smokers are the Asiatics, especially the Chinese.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Feb 16
Do a lot of people smoke in Switzerland? I have always been under the impression that Europeans, in general, have a higher percentage of smokers than say, the U.S. or Canada, where smoking is considered very taboo.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
9 Feb 16
@purplealabaster I would agree with non smoking at playground areas.
3 people like this
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
9 Feb 16
@nanette64 @Asylum Instead of banning smoking in public parks, how would you two feel about designated smoking areas or even designated non-smoking areas, such as on the playgrounds?
4 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
9 Feb 16
Exactly @Asylum . Why don't people scream and yell about the 'smoke' coming from factories, airplanes, cars, etc? They put out more dangerous chemicals than smokers do. At let's not forget about the fact that 'smokers' pay a fortune in taxes. Some of which may just be going to those parks.
4 people like this
@jillybean1222 (6407)
•
9 Feb 16
I think that it should be fine for people to smoke outside.
4 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Feb 16
That is fine, as long as I can't smell it, lol.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Feb 16
It is fine for people to smoke outside, at least as of now that right hasn't been taken away from them, but I think parks may not be the most appropriate places to engage in the habit. Many people retreat to parks seeking fresh air, plus many kids congregate in parks. But maybe a fair compromise is to create designated smoking areas, which are located away from areas where kids congregate.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Feb 16
I am in favor of no smoking in public areas of any kind. The right of the smoker to pollute the air stops at my nose, as I see it. In most places in Oregon, smokers must go outside, ten feet from any door to smoke. Smoking is prohibited by law in restaurants and even in bars and taverns. I love it.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Feb 16
@ElizabethWallace Great! Public buildings and workplaces are forbidden here too. That balcony prohibition is a good thing.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
11 Feb 16
@JamesHxstatic Yes, it is an issue in multi-family buildings. Smoke travels from outside into the open windows of neighbors. It is horrid. Same with bar-b-ques on balconies. Lots of smoke comes inside. The least they could do it warn the people upstairs, so they can close their windows.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
10 Feb 16
It is even stronger in California. The distance is 20 feet from any door, nowhere inside a public building of any kind (or workplace), and not on a balcony, patio or outside space in a multi-family building. I only smell it now when I enter the local mall, since 20 feet is not far enough away from there, due to the design of the entrance.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Feb 16
@JudyEv Hmmm...I didn't think smoking was still that bad in Germany, but I could be wrong! I've noticed that in Europe as a whole, higher percentages of people seem to smoke than in other places.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (340511)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Feb 16
@moffittjc Maybe I'm wrong about Germany. I remember being wrong once before! 
1 person likes this
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
9 Feb 16
This response is not to your discussion but rather to the comment you made to Elizabeth Wallace about possibly prohibiting parents from smoking around their children. I am not a smoker, and I do not support smoking around children. In fact, most parents I know who are smokers will go outside to smoke rather than do it in the house and not smoke in their vehicles, because they do not want their children around the smoke. However, I think that disallowing people to smoke in and on their own property is taking things too far unless you are going to completely make it illegal to smoke.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Feb 16
You have a valid point. People do have a right to smoke on their own property. But, I have heard about state legislators trying to further regulate smokers rights by enacting laws that stipulate they can't smoke inside a house or car if a child is present. I don't know if that's constitutional or not, but that won't stop lawmakers from trying!
1 person likes this
@DanieGirl80587 (2713)
• United States
9 Feb 16
I won't tell someone where they can and can't smoke just as long as it's not near me or my kid and I usually avoid people that smoke as it is.
1 person likes this
@DanieGirl80587 (2713)
• United States
9 Feb 16
@moffittjc Yes I agree very much so. Parks are usually for people who go running and for parents taking their kids to play. No need for it to be a place that can be a hazard to your health.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Feb 16
@DanieGirl80587 The worst is when I take my kids to the playground and parents are chain-smoking all around the kids on the playground. For Pete's sake, they really couldn't walk off to the side somewhere to smoke, or heaven forbid...go 30 minutes without lighting up? Such a shame!
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Feb 16
I'm very against smoking in general, but I think it is totally inappropriate to smoke in parks, for two reasons: 1) it is where people go to exercise and be healthy; and 2) that is where kids go to play. Two great reasons right there why people shouldn't smoke in parks!
3 people like this
@RonElFran (1214)
• Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
9 Feb 16
Just because a smoker is outside doesn't mean his smoke isn't annoying, or even physically irritating to others. Many people are very sensitive to smoke, even when it's wafting through the open air.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Feb 16
I am one of those people. I can smell someone smoking from half a mile away. It drives me absolutely crazy!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Feb 16
I agree! Parks is definitely one place where I feel people shouldn't be allowed to smoke. Or, like you said, create a little area where they can go to smoke. Put it off to the side where it won't bother anyone.
2 people like this
@Lucky15 (37374)
• Philippines
9 Feb 16
@moffittjc parks should be a place where you can breathe, enjoy the fresh air, so no no smoking for public parks. I just hate the smell and smoke that gets into my eyes, it stings
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Feb 16
@Lucky15 Yes, and I didn't even think about that aspect of it! Parks are where people go to get fresh air! So don't take away the last little vestige of hope for people seeking a good whiff of clean air!
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
9 Feb 16
I think that if they want bans on smoking around children's playgrounds that would be fine. However smokers don't and will never put out the kind of smoke coming from cars, trains, planes, and other things like factories. Smokers should be allowed to smoke outside in the open air. Already they have been pushed out almost everywhere. I think open air should be allowed as long as they are not blowing their smoke at or on you.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Feb 16
@fishtiger58 I respect your opinion! I'm not a fan at all of the act of smoking, but please don't take that to mean that I don't like people who are smokers. It's the act I don't care for, not the people. And you shouldn't feel like you are a second-class citizen, although you are right in that it seems like all the laws these days are stacked against you.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Feb 16
@fishtiger58 True! Smokers have to smoke somewhere, right?
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
15 Feb 16
@moffittjc And I certainly didn't think you don't like me because I am a smoker. I don't want to invade anyone's space or their right not to smell my smoke. But not allowing smokers to smoke outside is just taking it a bit to far, but that's my opinion.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (16632)
• United States
9 Feb 16
I believe it is a good law. I grew up in a 2 parent smoking home so my childhood was mostly a blue haze whether at home or in the car. I did smoke for a few years but quit. I can't stand the smell of them now. I think our state had a law go into effect last fall that you couldn't smoke in a car if their were any passengers under the age of 18 riding with you. I just looked it up and here's a link about it.
Smoking In Cars With Children Illegal Starting October 1st, 2015
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Feb 16
I think Florida either just passed a similar law, or is working on a law, to make it illegal to smoke in a vehicle with a child in it.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Feb 16
@nanette64 Me too. I wish they would take it farther and make it illegal to smoke anywhere when there is a child present (house, car, etc.). Oh, and on a completely different, but similar, note: nothing upsets me more than seeing a pregnant woman smoking or drinking. It just breaks my heart.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
10 Feb 16
@moffittjc Now that I agree with.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
9 Feb 16
They should establish smoke zones like they have done at sports stadiums.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Feb 16
The college football stadium where I have season tickets to banned smoking in the stadium several years ago. Now, if you are caught smoking, you get ejected from the stadium and issued a $25 fine.
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
9 Feb 16
I think they should have smoking areas separate from non smoking areas as there are people who will smoke no matter what. Some buildings in CA you can't smoke near the entrance you have to be so many feet away from the entrance. I know from when I lived and worked there. A number of apartments in Utah are non smoking and if you smoke you cannot rent there.
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
10 Feb 16
@moffittjc
That is exactly what happened there was a sign put up that smokers had to stay so many feet away from the entrance to the building to do their smoking.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
13 Feb 16
@moffittjc
That wasn't what I meant but yeah I guess it does happen. 
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Feb 16
@Marcyaz You mean the sign the smokers lean against when they are standing there lighting up? lol
1 person likes this
@MandaLee (3764)
• United States
10 Feb 16
Hi @moffittjc
I live in MD. Smoking is illegal in public places, including parks. I think this is a good law and protects public health, safety and well being.
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 16
I think the trend is slowly expanding to the rest of the country. I think in the not-to-distant future most--if not all--states will ban smoking in parks.
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Feb 16
@DWDavis Well, we can never count on our government for anything, but we can sure count on them to keep the tax money flowing to Washington! lol
@sherryericha (1806)
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
9 Feb 16
I'm a smoker, but a politically correct one, I follow the rules. However, when we went to Rehobeth Beach last summer, I was amazed at the very limited amount smoking areas.
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Feb 16
Thank you for being one of those persons who follows the rules, and for being honest about being a smoker! I have no qualms about you smoking, because as an adult it's your right. And I do think there should be public smoking access locations in most public places, but I think parks are just one of those places where it's probably not the most appropriate place to light up!
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
9 Feb 16
See my comment to @Asylum @moffittjc .
1 person likes this
@VivaLaDani13 (60794)
• Perth, Australia
7 Mar 16
I'm sort of on the fence about this. I do believe people can do whatever they wish to their bodies but I don't agree it affecting others in the process.
Not really sure I have much to say about this subject actually. I would just suggest for smokers to be completely moved away ( wherever they are ) from all the non smokers.
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Mar 16
Well, until the law says otherwise, smokers have a right to smoke. I just hope that if they choose to smoke in a public setting, that they are respectful of those around them. Most smokers are respectful, and will either refrain from smoking when there are lots of people, or else go off to the side somewhere and smoke where they are out of the way of the other people.
1 person likes this
