I got word today that the city will soon announce that all parks in Sioux Falls will be ‘tobacco free’. I mildly remember the city council talking about this a few years back, and kind of steered away from the topic. Apparently the Parks Board and Health Board made the decision. One of the stipulations is;
‘The intention of the policy is to achieve voluntary compliance’
Good luck with that. I personally don’t care either way. It is annoying though to be enjoying the outdoors in one of our wonderful parks and smelling cigarette smoke, but it is a legal product.
No chewing tobacco either, but feel free to spit you sunflower seeds wherever!
Ban smoking but encourage visitors to bring their guns…
I agree with Testor on this. There is no reason to bring guns any place in public, other than the people doing it want to look like big shots or macho.
A welcome rule if you ask me. I have no problem with smokeless tobacco, but I’m not a fan of having smoke blown in my face, and I’ve got to say the number of cigarette butts found on the ground is disturbing.
Craig, I don’t have a problem with it either, but the voluntary compliance made me laugh.
Asking for voluntary compliance will only cause angry smokers to light up in defiance.
Did you see on Stormland where there was a line waiting to speak at City Council? I wonder how Erp and SubPrime liked having to listening to citizens?
How about citizens Filibuster council meetings. Takes 2/3 council vote to end the meeting. 3 of the 8 (63%, not 66%) support democracy. Could stop certain ordinances from passing. Presently, any ordinance or ‘voluntary compliance’ is/are unenforceable. Fines can’t be collected and no appeals into court. Just ignore anything city until they allow due process for citizens.
I have to say when I am sitting at my kid’s activities and someone feels the need to light up – it about sends me. If it disrupts the habit or at least makes people think twice – I am all for it.
Gezzzz…. we smokers are such dirty filthy scum. I have always been careful where I blow my smoke and do not throw my butts on the ground. Next it will be I can not smoke in my yard, then not in my house.
I am not too thrilled about children running and screaming when I want a quiet walk, gum chewing and snapping who leave their gum for my shoe sole, fat slobs slurping 60 oz sodas, but it is something I put up with if I want to go out.
Wayne –
Are you the same Wayne Fanebust that wrote “Where the Sioux River Bends”? I read that recently – a really great book!
PraireLady – I think ,ost acknowledge that not all smokers are guilty, but you have to admit the vast, vast majority are. I see evidence of that outside every building and in every gutter.
As to sodas and gum, last I checked if someone uses those products it doesn’t increase your risk of lung cancer. Sort of a different scenario but I understand your frustration.
Tom, yes, same man. Fantastic author. You should read his book about Pettigrew.
Thanks for the kind words about my books. For anyone who is a Civil War buff, my most recent book is entitled: “Major General Alexander M. McCook, USA, A Civil War Biography.”