“For the same reason we placed smoking bans at our beaches, our parks are also places where thousands of people gather, and smoking is a health issue,” Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said Friday. “Second-hand smoke contributes to cancer and other ailments” reports the Daily News
The county Department of Parks and Recreation recently issued a 29-page report recommending the county ban smoking at community parks and regional parks, natural areas and sanctuaries, arboretum and botanic gardens and equestrian parks.
The department also recommended the county prohibit smoking in facilities run by lease operators, except for designated smoking areas. For golf courses, this would include driving ranges, putting and pitching greens, within 20 feet of buildings and in areas of high fire risk. Golfers could smoke on the course itself, unless it’s in a high fire zone.
Some golf course operators told county officials they were concerned that a total ban on smoking would affect revenues.
During film productions at county parks, actors would still be allowed to smoke.
The vote Tuesday will be whether to direct county officials to draft the ordinance.
If drafted and ultimately approved, the ordinance will affect the county’s 144 parks, which receive 20 million visitors annually. These parks include 19 golf courses – the largest municipal golf system in the nation.
Read more here: County supervisors mull smoking ban at parks, golf courses