Turlock council affirms smoking ban in parks

Three Girl Scouts got their message across: Smoking is bad and has no place in city parks.

The Turlock City Council voted 5-0 on Tuesday night to reaffirm the policy against tobacco use in parks and other outdoor public facilities, such as the transit center.

Such a ban apparently was on the books already, the city staff said, but the record was not clear and signs were not widely posted.

Cadets Catie Smith, Frances Haydock and Erin Walker of Girl Scout Troop 3289 asked the council for the action with support from an anti-tobacco program at the Stanislaus County Office of Education.

“It is scientifically confirmed that secondhand smoke can cause asthma and other respiratory problems in those who breathe it,” Catie Smith said.

The council voted in 2003 to ban smoking at the new Turlock Regional Sports Complex, a soccer and softball venue in the northwest part of town. A document that was part of this item said tobacco was illegal “on any portion of city of Turlock parks.”

The staff said the citywide ban was not carried out with signs and enforcement, and a fresh vote would clarify matters. The updated language includes electronic and vapor cigarettes in the ban.

Police Chief Rob Jackson said he expects park visitors to comply voluntarily and the ban will not burden his officers.

The Scouts got a bit of a civics lesson as the council discussed the proposal. Councilman Steven Nascimento said he agreed with the idea of shielding young park users from smoking, but the council should “be mindful that we don’t overstep our boundaries.”

Mayor Gary Soiseth thanked the Scouts for coming. “I think that’s a testament to youth and energy, so stay involved,” he said.

This story was originally published January 28, 2015 at 2:03 PM with the headline "Turlock council affirms smoking ban in parks."