“I don’t think this is an issue that should be particularly controversial but somehow it is.”
Muskegon Vice Mayor Rebecca St. Clair says new park smoking restrictions approved by the city commission protect the health of non-smokers.
“There is lots and lots of science that cigarette smoke is bad for other people.”
The city commission considered an outright smoking ban in parks, and a designated area for smoking, Mayor Ken Johnson says they settled on.
“No smoking or vaping within 100-feet of play areas or pavilions.”
Although commissioner Willie German thinks a designated smoking area would work better.
“Because people are going to smoke this way they would be away from the rest of the citizens.”
But Katrina Kochin and a majority of commissioners support the 100-foot rule.
“To limit smoking in and around playgrounds and pavilions, I think that is a reasonable ask.”
And while they are on the topic, commissioner Kochin says smoking litter is also a nuisance
“There is always a ton of cigarette butts and vaping cartridges on the ground. We need to ramp up our policing of littering.”
