Laserfiche WebLink
J <br />..~.. <br />ilk <br />River <br />REQUEST FOR ACTION <br />To Item Number <br />Parks and Recreation Commission 7.1.A <br />Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by <br />Action/Discussion Items April 14, 2010 Steve Benoit, Recreation Manager <br />Polic Issues <br />Item Description Reviewed by <br />Tobacco Free Park Policy Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation <br /> Director <br /> Reviewed by <br />Action Requested <br />Adoption of Tobacco Free Park Policy <br />Background/Discussion <br />Over the past several months, the Parks and Recreation commission has been examining the concept of <br />implementing a tobacco free park policy that would restrict the use of tobacco products in City of Elk <br />River Parks. The rationale behind this initiative focuses on the following points: <br />• Secondhand smoke is a human carcinogen for which there is no safe level of exposure. <br />Exposure to secondhand smoke has immediate health consequences such as asthma attacks <br />and other respiratory diseases. Secondhand smoke levels in outdoor public places can reach <br />levels as high as those found in indoor facilities where smoking is permitted. <br />• Discarded cigarettes pollute the land and water and may be ingested by toddlers, pets, birds <br />or fish. Trash left from tobacco use also requires significant cleaning time from the Parks <br />Maintenance staff. <br />• As parents, leaders, coaches, and officials, we are thought of as role models and the use of <br />tobacco products around youth has a negative effect on their lifestyle choices. <br />Other Information to Consider <br />The following area communities have adopted tobacco free park policies: <br />• Ramsey • Zimmerman <br />• Dayton <br />• Maple Grove <br />• St. Francis <br />Staff Recommendations <br />• Anoka <br />• Monticello <br />• Anoka County Parks <br />S:\Parks & Recreation\4-1410 PRC Packet\Tobacco Tree Parks Policy Request for Action.doc <br />