MIDVALE — Lighting a cigarette in any of Midvale's parks now comes with a hefty fine.
The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to ban smoking from all city-owned gathering spots, like parks, recreational fields and the cemetery.
"I figure if they can do it in Ireland and Italy, it's certainly not a Mormon thing. It's an international health issue," said Mayor JoAnn Seghini, referring to the ban on public smoking in those countries. "Worldwide, it's being seen as more and more of a problem."
Smoking is a public health issue, Seghini said, because of the adverse effects of second-hand smoke.
Particularly in public ballparks and soccer fields, "It shouldn't be part of the recreation of youth. It shouldn't be a part of that environment," she said.
City-owned streets, sidewalks and parking lots, however, will be exempt from the new ordinance.
Utah currently prohibits smoking in restaurants and bars and was the 12th state to adopt such a law. Numerous municipalities nationally also have bans similar to Midvale's — some are more strict, like in Utah cities Clinton and Riverton.
"We've tried to not make it so onerous that people will feel like they are being seriously discriminated against, but we do feel we should protect the people that have a right to be protected in public places," Seghini said.
Midvale began discussing the ban after a presentation from a local chapter of Teens Against Tobacco Use.
First-time offenders will be issued a warning by city police officers. However, second offenses will be an infraction and third offenses will be a class C misdemeanor, with penalties of up to 90 days in jail and $750 in fines.
The vote on the ordinance came after little opposition from council members.
"It just tears me on both sides," said Councilwoman Colleen Costello.
Costello said she had one call from a "responsible smoker" who was concerned about getting fined in Midvale if he was just taking a walk while smoking.
"I can certainly see the health hazards," she said. "But I look at other people's rights, too."
Seghini noted the city's parks department will be excited about the ban because of the high amount of cigarette butts they clean up.
"We'd like to think our parks will be more comfortable for more people," she said.
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