Lansdale May Ban Smoking in Playgrounds

The borough parks and recreation department is investigating the ban of smoking in playground areas in Lansdale parks.

The ban could be a controversial one: the borough doesn't want to ban smoking in the parks, just in areas considered playgrounds.

"Quite a few departments restrict smoking," said parks and recreation director Carl Saldutti at the committee meeting this month. "There's a little bit of concern by playground users."

In August 2008, Hatfield Township Commissioners enacted a law banning smoking at all township parks.

“(The change) addresses residents’ concerns for a clean and healthy environment in our park system,” states the township website.

North Wales Borough has no ordinance relating to smoking on its records. Towamencin Township also has no laws regarding smoking in parks.

According to Chapter 166: Parks and Recreation of the code of Montgomery Township:

Smokers are warned to use care in the use and disposal of matches, cigarettes, cigars and pipes. Any damage caused by negligent smokers shall be treated as a violation of park rules, and the responsible party shall be subject to both fines and assessments for any damage caused to park property.

Saldutti said the borough would not be banning smoking across the entire park system.

"Just where toddlers are running around," he said. "It's something to consider."

He said the trend nationwide is that banning smoking in playground areas is a common practice.

The difficult thing will be to enforce such a law. 

Resident Rick Malagari said there would need to be a way for the smoker to associate a dollar amount or fine to the act of smoking.

"With smoking, it may be peer pressure if a sign is posted," he said. 

Councilman and committee member Steve Malagari said the borough has a dog waste ordinance on the books and signage associated with it.

"Who is enforcing that?" Malagari asked.

"It's more of a neighborhood enforcement thing," Saldutti said.

The question of banning smoking in ballparks and ballfields was brought up. Saldutti said that is something the borough could do.

"Now you get into an area where you would restrict in completely," he said. "There are other open spaces areas that aren't active where it wouldn't be included. There are inherent problems if you ban smoking parkwide."

It was around 2000 when and Fourth Street Pool got their own designated smoking areas.

Committeeman and councilman Rich DiGregorio said people are used to the smoking laws and regulations now in municipalities.

Rick Malagari agreed, stating that it seems 90 percent comply and the 10 percent have a problem.

"In this day and age," said committee chairwoman Mary Fuller, "when it comes to smoking, people are less tolerant and they exert more peer pressure. People are more critical of smokers and I don't think they hold back."

Steve Malagari said an ordinance may cause smokers to comply and it may not.

"If they are smoking in the playground, it draws attention to them," he said.

Saldutti said smoking isn't allowed at a place like North Penn High School. Yet, when he goes to games at Crawford Stadium, people are smoking all over.

He said the borough cannot push the problem onto neighbors.

"A place like the amphitheater, we get 850 people there. If I was a smoker, I don't think I would light up. I think I'd wait," Saldutti said.

Resident John Darab said the borough could word its signage in a less strict manner.

"Something like 'We pride our atmosphere' rather than 'No,'" Darab said.