Yesterday, Wednesday, February 17, Parks Superintendent Timothy Gallagher announced that he would go ahead with a ban on smoking in all public parks in the city, despite disagreement from the Board of Park Commissioners.
According to Gallagher, the decision was centered around public health, citing the dangers of second hand smoke. Under the new smoking ban, which will go into effect on Thursday, April 1, violators could be banned from city parks for anywhere from one day for first-time offenders, to up to a year. Enforcement will be handled on a complaint basis.
Though many agree with Gallagher’s notion of protecting against second hand smoke, especially in public areas where there are often children, others say this latest smoking ban is severely limiting where they can smoke. See KING5’s video below for more.
What do you think Queen Anne? Are you for or against the smoking ban in public parks?