Jackson’s parks and cemeteries have gone smoke free. An addition to the City’s Clean Air Ordinance, which prohibits the use of tobacco products in public parks and cemeteries, went into effect on Friday, Aug. 14.
The ordinance addition was approved by the Jackson City Council at their meeting on July 14 following a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission. The ban covers all tobacco products, including cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
A person who violates the ordinance will first be asked to stop using the tobacco products. The second step is asking the person to leave the area if they don’t stop using the products. If the person does not comply with the first two attempts of intervention, they could receive a civil infraction and be subject to fines.
Sixth Ward Councilmember Will Forgrave supports the smoking ban and worked on the ordinance in the Parks and Recreation Commission. “It’s been clear for decades that tobacco use is bad for you. Any law that prohibits it is a step in the right direction,” Councilmember Forgrave said. “We want to help our residents stay healthy and safe. This is a simple thing we can do to protect public health in our parks.”
The City maintains 27 public parks and two cemeteries. The Parks and Recreation Department is now making plans to place no-smoking signs in parks and cemeteries to inform residents of the ordinance and to deter them from using tobacco in these public spaces.