Ramsey County aims to limit outdoor smoking

In an effort to rid its playgrounds and beaches of cigarette butts and secondhand smoke, Ramsey County is considering making many of its recreation areas tobacco-free zones.

The County Board on Tuesday is expected to vote on a policy to prohibit tobacco use within 50 feet of county beaches, playgrounds, ice arenas, Tamarack Nature Center and Battle Creek Waterworks.

If a policy is approved, Ramsey County will join Anoka, Dakota and Washington counties -- as well as the Three Rivers Park District -- in restricting the use of tobacco outdoors. More than 100 Minnesota cities limit tobacco use outside, according to Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation, a nonprofit program that educates youth groups and individuals who want to lobby for such policies.

The factors driving the County Board are to reduce litter and secondhand smoke and give children the message that tobacco use isn't acceptable.

Similar polices are in place in eight cities in the county.

Those cities are Arden Hills, Maplewood, Mounds View, New Brighton, North St. Paul, Roseville, Shoreview and St. Paul.

"To have some consistency, we're continuing that effort," said Greg Mack, Ramsey County Parks and Recreation director.

Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation would supply signs identifying the tobacco-free zones. The county would install them.

A policy, not law

Ramsey County is considering a policy, which means someone who lights up on the beach wouldn't be fined. Other governments in the metro have restricted tobacco use through ordinance, meaning there are consequences.

"I'd say Ramsey County's [proposed policy] falls in the middle of the road. Some are less restrictive, others quite a bit more," said Brittany McFadden, program director for Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation.

Last year, Minnesota banned smoking in bars and restaurants, and the push to restrict tobacco use outside has been gaining momentum here and around the country. Chicago can now fine people up to $500 for smoking within 15 feet of beaches and playgrounds. Albuquerque, N.M., nixed smoking at the zoo. Davis County, Utah, has extended its ban to nearly all outdoor public places.

• Tobacco use is banned in all Dakota County parkland except for parking lots, roads and campsites.

• It's against the law to use any form of tobacco within 100 feet of a Washington County beach or playground.

• Tobacco use is prohibited at Anoka County beaches, playgrounds, picnic areas, places where recreational programs are being held and within 50 feet of a public entrance to park buildings.

• It's against the law to use tobacco near beaches, nature centers, playgrounds or within 25 feet of a building entrance in the Three River Parks District.

There hasn't been much backlash to the Dakota County prohibitions, said Kim Lawler, manager of visitor services and marketing for the county's parks department. She said a few cities in the county recently contacted her about forming their own tobacco-free policies.

Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation spends a lot of time collecting information on the various policies in Minnesota governments.

"To my knowledge we haven't heard of a community issuing tickets," McFadden said. "It's pretty much a community enforced policy."

Ramsey County Commissioner Janice Rettman isn't sold on the idea and thinks the board should have a more thorough discussion.

The proposed policy was first introduced to the board last week, and commissioners voted 6-1 to move it toward final adoption onTuesday.

"If we create a policy, but no enforcement of the policy, then are we giving mixed messages?" Rettman said.

"It's about educating communities to do the right thing, rather than enforcement," Ortega said. "I'm very supportive of this."

Parks employees probably won't be asked to make watching out for smokers a large part of their job, Mack said. He said he also would hope people could remind wayward smokers to move or put out their cigarettes in a civil way.

Said Mack: "Nobody's going to be out there with a tape measure."