Politics & Government

Council to Ban Smoking in Doylestown Parks

No more lighting up in public parks in Doylestown Borough, if council approves an ordinance banning smoking.

 

No one will be allowed to smoke in Doylestown Borough's public parks if borough council approves an ordinance banning it, as expected.

The nine council members voted unanimously on Monday to advertise an ordinance banning smoking in the borough's parks. It would be an amendment to the borough's current parks ordinance.

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Council members cited the adverse health affects of second-hand smoke and the nuisance of littering cigarette butts as impetus for the ban.

"As someone that enjoys our parks very much, especially with my 4-year-old, I’m very enthused about this," said council member Marlene Pray. "I’m really thankful for the health of our community that we’re doing this."

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"I think it’s a terrible example for children to be playing on the playground and see people smoking," said council member Don Berk.

New signs will be posted in the parks that show a child swinging, with the words "Young lungs at play. This is a tobacco free zone." They are being donated to Doylestown Borough and other area municipalities by the Council of Southeast Pennsylvania.

"We can get as many of these as we need to place in our borough," said council president Det Ansinn. "These are being provided for us free of charge, which is great.

If the ordinance is approved after the advertisement period, as expected, it would make smoking in the parks a summary offense.


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