Designate smoking: Raleigh should create designated smoking areas rather than ban smoking in parks

The Raleigh City Council should snuff out its plan to seek an amendment to state law that would initiate a citywide smoking ban in public parks.

The council voted Thursday to lobby the N.C. General Assembly to enact legislation that would allow the city to impose such a ban.

The city should consider an alternative approach.

Supporters of the ban which was initially recommended by the Raleigh Parks Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board say an outright smoking ban is needed in order to reduce the amount of secondhand smoke and litter in public parks.

While it is understandable that many parents of small children are concerned about secondhand smoke levels especially near playground areas banning smoking altogether is not the most practical response.

A relatively simple solution would be for the city to establish designated smoking areas in parks that are adequately distanced from playgrounds that include ash trays and trash cans to cut down on litter.

This type of approach is best for a number of reasons.

UNC-Chapel Hill students would probably agree that the smoking area at the flag pole in Polk Place is an acceptable middle ground when it comes to isolating secondhand smoke and reducing litter in the form of cigarette butts.

In terms of effectiveness" it is doubtful that a outright ban would achieve better results.

Whether smoking is officially ""banned"" in public parks" people will most likely continue to smoke in them.

And the only way city officials could actually enforce a ban would be to devote law enforcement resources that would obviously be better spent elsewhere.

Designated smoking areas not an outright ban are the best way to ensure that all residents can enjoy the city's parks.