Politics & Government

Resident Tells Council: Ban Smoking in Borough Parks

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After observing attendees smoking at , which was held in Aug. 18, resident Bob Linney told Borough Council that it should consider banning smoking in parks.

Linney made the suggestion at council's Aug. 20 meeting, during a courtesy of the floor.

He noted that cigarettes in adults' hands are often held at a height that can expose small children to secondhand smoke.

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Smoking is currently permitted in borough parks, although an amendment to park rules that is scheduled to be voted on by council Sept. 17 would ban smoking in park pavilions.

Pavilions are located in several of the borough's parks, including Dimmick Park and .

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Borough Manager Cathy Kichline said the rule change would likely take effect 30 days after its approval by council, and that "No Smoking" signs would probably need to be hung at the pavilions if council votes in favor of the rule change.

The limited ban on smoking in parks is one of a number of changes scheduled to be voted upon by council as part of a borough code updating process known as "codification."

According to a list of park use rules posted on its website, does not currently prohibit smoking in township parks. The list was last amended in May 2010.


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