Spokane Park Board votes to create tobacco-free zones at ‘high-kid areas’

The Spokane Park Board on Thursday voted unanimously to create permanent tobacco-free zones at city playgrounds, pools, gardens and shelters.

The action follows implementation of pilot tobacco-free zones for six months last year.

In an agreement with the park department, the Spokane Regional Health District has been providing signs designating the tobacco-free areas, and will maintain the signs. Tobacco users will be expected to police themselves in the program.

“We have a lot of community support behind this project,” said Jennifer Polello, public health educator for the district.

She told Park Board members that telephone surveys conducted before implementation of the pilot zones showed 70 percent support for the project. Another survey taken after the zones were implemented came back with 80 percent support. The health district also found good compliance during spot checks last summer.

Liberty Lake recently established tobacco-free zones at Pavillion Park. Spokane County commissioners opposed the program at county parks.

City Councilman Brad Stark, who serves on the Park Board, said the health district and Park Board came to an agreement to designate tobacco-free areas frequented by children, but not to ban tobacco throughout city parks.

“The areas that are designated are high-kid areas,” he said.

Proponents of the tobacco-free zones said that adults should provide good role modeling for children by not smoking or using tobacco at park areas.

The zones include playgrounds or play structures at 53 city parks. Also included are swimming pools, wading pools, picnic shelters, park restrooms, skate parks, formal gardens, meeting rooms and larger facilities, including the Riverfront Park Pavilion, Gaiser Conservatory and carousel.