Enjoy a Breath of Fresh Air: City Ordinance on Smoking and Tobacco Use Takes Effect
May 26, 2017
An ordinance regulating smoking and tobacco use on City property is now in effect.
The ordinance, which passed unanimously by the Sioux Falls City Council on May 2, 2017, is designed to promote a healthier environment, support individuals who wish to quit using tobacco, and provide positive role modeling for youth.
“The health and safety of our residents and visitors is a priority for the City,” said Jill Franken, Public Health Director. “Secondhand smoke and the use of tobacco are significant health hazards and remain the No. 1 cause of preventable death. Like policies adopted by cities, counties, and states across the nation, this new ordinance will create greater awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and will promote a culture of health and wellness.”
The ordinance prohibits the use of any tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices, on City-owned property when youth activities take place. Youth activities are defined as those in which the intended participants and/or the intended attendees are primarily under 18 years of age.
Smoking, including the use of electronic smoking devices, is also prohibited as follows:
- The area within a distance of 25 feet from entrances of all City-owned buildings is smoke-free.
- Approved special events held on City property are smoke-free unless the event organizer designates a defined smoking area that minimizes public exposure to smoking. Parks and Recreation must review and approve the designated area.
- City property that is leased or managed by a third party is smoke-free; however, these properties may designate a smoking area that minimizes public exposure to smoking. Examples of these facilities include the Washington Pavilion, Orpheum Theater, Great Bear Recreation Area, Canaries Stadium, and the Sheraton Hotel.
- The area inside the access road on the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center campus, which includes the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls Convention Center, and Sioux Falls Arena, is smoke-free. The access road connects Bailey Street to Western Avenue and Russell Street to Western Avenue.
- City golf courses are smoke-free except for parking lots and during the course of play. The course of play is defined as after the first tee and before the green of the final hole of any nine holes of play.
- Ticket, boarding, and waiting areas of any public transit depot are smoke-free.
Any person in violation of these regulations may be asked to leave the City property on which the violation occurs.
“At our City buildings and recreational facilities, we are uniquely positioned to interact with community members, families, and visitors on a daily basis,” said Franken, “and it is essential that we provide healthy places for them to work, learn, socialize, and play. Every step forward we can take to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke will contribute to better health and a higher quality of life.”
More information about the new ordinance is available at www.siouxfalls.org/breathe-well.
