Polson, Montana: New Non-Smoking Areas

This is news as we like it in the world of tobacco control and it comes to us straight from the city of Polson located in the state of Montana, in the United States. On May 18, the City Council voted five for and one against, in favor of banning the consumption of tobacco products in public parks and other recreational spaces in the city. During the discussions, Councilwoman Pardini intervened to ask if the ban would also apply to the city's golf course. She was told that the golf course was not a municipal space, and that in these circumstances, the ban could not extend there. Given this response, Pardini voted against the ordinance and justified her vote by not including the city's golf course among the new smoke-free spaces.[1]. However, approved by the majority, the ban will come into effect, as is, on June 18, 2020. It is specified that the ban concerns snuff and chewing tobacco, in addition to cigarettes and electronic cigarettes. Finally, the ordinance provides that any violation noted must be sanctioned gradually. Thus, any failure to comply with the new smoking ban in parks and other recreational areas in the city of Polson will be sanctioned by a verbal warning. If it is repeated over the next three years, then its sanction will be in the form of a written warning recalling the legal framework, then if there is a third, fourth or fifth violation, then fines of $100, $200 and $300 will be given respectively. Beyond the fifth violation, the sanction remains a fine of $300. In addition, any violation may justify exclusion from the space. ©Tobacco Free Generation [1] https://www.cityofpolson.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/mayor_and_city_commission/meeting/4661/051820.pdf ©DNF - For a Zero Tobacco World |