Politics & Government

Vote Tabled for Smoking Ban in Lakewood Parks

City hears some opposition to the proposed ordinance that would outlaw smoking at the city's 15 parks.

City council held off voting on an ordinance on Monday that would .

Smoking in Ohio’s bars, restaurants and public buildings was banned in 2006.

An ordinance introduced in February, by councilwomen Monique Smith and Mary Louise Madigan, looks to ban smoking in the city’s parks.

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“It’s time for Lakewood to take the next step,” Smith read from a co-authored letter she penned to council in February. “Our parks, and people who use them, need to go smoke free.”

They also addressed the issue of cigarette butts littering the parks.

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However, a vote will have to wait until later this month.

Lorita Green, a smoker and a long-time resident, addressed council Monday to express her disapproval of the proposal.

“Smokers are people, and smoking is a legal activity,” she said. “I argue that the continued use of bans in this city, to restrict who lives here, how they live here and what they do here does not lead to a good image at all.”

Green, a Lakewood resident for 30 years, said that there’s no proof that outdoor smoking is harmful to others.

“This is not a health issue, nor is it a safety issue, nor is it a litter issue,” she said. “This is an image issue.”

Council will have another opportunity to review the ordinance at the April 16 meeting.

“I haven not made up my mind about it,” said Ward 1 councilman David Anderson. “I am sort of uncommitted other than to try to get some more information.”


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