In Old Rupert, Where There’s Smoke, There’s Ire Council Looks Into Adding City Park Ban To Its Already Broad Restrictions On Tobacco Users

It’s already illegal to smoke in public buildings and indoor sports arenas in Rupert. Now city leaders are considering banning smoking in city parks.

“We’re getting to the point now where the environment is just like a building,” said City Administrator Bryan Montgomery.

“You can smoke, just do it way over there.”

The City Council discussed the issue at a recent meeting but didn’t decide whether to make it a 24-hour ban, or just forbid smoking when children were present.

Montgomery said officials are looking at other cities, such as Davis, Calif., to find the best way to adopt and enforce the rule.

“It needs to be enough of a deterrent where if it’s violated, it’s a rare and isolated incident,” he said.

Rupert’s proposed ban wouldn’t go as far as the no-smoking rules in Davis, officials of that Southern California community said.

City Clerk Betty Racki said it’s a misdemeanor to light up in any building where the public must go, including restaurants, bars and private businesses.

Parks, sidewalk cafes, pools, playgrounds and ballparks also are off limits.

Racki said there’s a lot of community support.

Davis first passed a limited smoking ordinance in 1989, then gave it more teeth four years ago.

Rupert police officers wondered how it would be enforced.

The small force doesn’t have the time or staff to patrol the parks every day, they said.

Racki said in Davis, police aren’t needed.

She said the city posted “no smoking” signs everywhere the ban applies, and it’s up to residents to tell smokers that the city means business.