East Ridge staff and Council discussed making all East Ridge property tobacco free. The city manager was instructed to have an ordinance drafted to vote on at the next meeting on May 24.
Full disclosed, I am a cigarette smoker, but even if I wasn’t I would think that this decision is a bit extreme. There are already policies in place that do not allow smoking in city building and vehicles. I certainly respect and support that policy. I respect that rights of those who do not smoke and many have health issues that are affected by second hand smoke.
We have employees that smoke, dip or chew and to require them to leave city property on their break to indulgence in some form of tobacco use seems counterproductive. The ash containers and a designated tobacco area could be a greater distance from the entrance to city buildings.
Sure there are areas on city property that it makes sense to be tobacco free; Frontier Land, baseball, softball and soccer fields and stands. Where there is congregation of people, especially children, tobacco free is the best option. Let’s look at Camp Jordan, over 250 acres and much of that open land. If someone an acre away from you is dipping, chewing or even smoking; what are your health risks?
Recreation Director Martin should be able to have restrictions that he can control on and around the fields where children are involved. During the discussion of this proposed policy at the recent agenda meeting, City Attorney Anderson told Council that by ordinance they could restrict tobacco use on city property and post signs levying a $50 fine for breaking the ordinance. I was very proud of Director Martin when he said that he wasn’t asking for a fine, just put up the signs and he would enforce the ordinance.
A lot of work and money has and is continuing to be used to promote Camp Jordan. Camp Jordan has a lot more potential than we have seen. Let’s be careful not to restrict ourselves out of business. Look to the future at what events now come to Camp Jordan and the possibilities of others. Coin shows, indoor football, indoor soccer, circus, resale events, dog shows, Xtreme fighting, RV events, car shows, and the list goes on. As I stated before, you cannot smoke in city building and that includes the arena, amphitheater, and any other building at Camp Jordan. If the ordinance is pasted with no tobacco anywhere on city property, those holding these events and those visiting the events will not be able to step out into the parking lot and smoke, dip or chew. Will this policy give us an advantage in booking events at the Arena and Camp Jordan? Could the restrictions cause some not to book or visit the area?
Gentlemen, I ask you to be realistic when you are voting on this ordinance. Don’t let your personal objection to tobacco be your motivation for the way you vote. Do you have an obligation to the youth and those who are affected by smoking? Yes you do. However, you should not, nor is it your responsibility to legislate healthy lifestyles. What next, no caffeine products, fatty foods or overly sweet or high carbohydrate foods on city property?
Frances Pope