Residents and Visitors Reminded to be Tobacco-Free at City Parks

Apr 29, 2015

The City of Sioux Falls reminds residents and visitors that the use of tobacco in City parks is prohibited during youth activities (under age 18) and on all City playgrounds.

The tobacco-free youth recreation policy was implemented in 2013 prior to the start of summer youth activities and has been well-received over the past two years.

“Coaches, recreational leaders, and parents are role models for our youth, and they have the opportunity to send the message that tobacco is not part of a healthy lifestyle,” stated Don Kearney, Director of Parks and Recreation.

Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. It is estimated to be responsible for about one in five deaths (about 443,000) per year. Ninety percent of all adult smokers begin while in their teens or earlier, and nearly two-thirds become regular daily smokers before they reach age 19.

In addition, cigarette butts are the number one littered item in the world. Leftover cigarette paraphernalia falls into rivers and streams, takes ten years to begin to break down, and, worst of all, is picked up and sometimes ingested by young children.

Jill Franken, Health Department Director, noted, “This policy stemmed from our Live Well Sioux Falls strategies and the overall goal to increase tobacco-free living in our community.”

The tobacco-free parks policy can be found at www.siouxfalls.org/parks. If you or a friend or loved one needs assistance in quitting smoking, contact the free South Dakota QuitLine at
1-866-SD-QUITS (1-866-737-8487).