Roseville moves to ban smoking in public parks

The future for smokers in Roseville parks doesn't look good.The City Council voted 4 to 1 last week in favor of a city ordinance that would ban smoking in any Roseville public park. The smoke-free ordinance was introduced to the council for a first reading at its Nov. 7 meeting based on a recommendation from the Roseville Parks and Recreation Commission. The ordinance was prepared due to a smoking conflict that arose during one of Roseville's Music in the Park concerts that took place this past summer. If approved at the second reading on Dec. 5 the ordinance will prohibit smoking in all city parks and city-designated open space areas. Current California state law currently prohibits smoking in city parks within 25 feet of a playground or tot lot.Roseville administrative analyst Kelly Casanova told council members that the U.S. Surgeon General's report of June 25, 2006 concluded that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.Casanova said violators of the ordinance would be given a warning and could be cited with a misdemeanor if they refuse to comply.Roseville residents who spoke at last week's meeting voiced approval of the smoke-free ordinance."I think this is a great idea," said Gene Endicott. "I applauded the (Parks and Recreation) commission when they recommended it. I was at Music in the Park and smoking prevented me from enjoying the event. I would be proud if we pass this ordinance."Dr. Paul Dugan agreed."I'm interested in the survival of our citizens," Dugan said. "We can't tell adults what to do but we can protect the children. It would be a great step for this great city to rid the parks of smoke."Councilman John Allard, who was the only member with a dissenting vote of the smoke-free parks ordinance, told council members that although he didn't want to be portrayed to the public as being supportive of second-hand smoke he wasn't in favor of the way the matter was brought to the council. "I dislike smoking as much as anyone on this platform," Allard said. "I was a smoker for 12 years. I quit because my wife's father died of lung cancer. I'm concerned about second-hand smoke."Allard said the first time he heard about the issue was in an e-mail from Endicott."I had no idea this ordinance was working its way through the process," Allard said. "If I had I would have been involved in it earlier. I do not believe it was completely honest."Allard told council members he felt a specific concern was raised about smoking at Music in the Park and with this smoking ordinance all the issues about smoking were being wrapped into one."To me this is like taking a sledgehammer to hammer in a nail," Allard said. "If we are truly concerned about smoking in general we should outlaw smoking in the city of Roseville."There was deception used in trying to get support about a specific concern," Allard continued. "Because of the whole way this was done, I cannot support this tonight."If the second reading is approved by the council in December, no smoking signs would be posted in all of the city's 56 parks and open space areas.Sacramento, San Francisco, Davis, Woodland, Winters, Fresno, Modesto, Berkeley, Dublin and 36 additional California cities already have smoke-free parks.