Last year, the Baltimore County Recreation and Parks Board asked the County Council to adopt a no-smoking policy for our public parks. I agreed this was important—and in February, sponsored legislation that clarified where smoking would be allowed in our parks. The legislation before the County Council prohibits smoking in playgrounds, tot lots, dog parks, and athletic fields being used by recreation councils. Smoking is also prohibited within a certain distance of a recreational building.
This legislation strikes a good balance. Our bill does not ban smoking everywhere in a public park—it targets places where children and their families tend to congregate. Smokers can walk a few feet away and comply with the law.
I just believe a family should be able to take their children to a playground without worrying about secondhand smoke.