Smoking Ban Moves Forward in Scotch Plains

At Tuesday night's meeting, Scotch Plains councilmembers continued their discussion of a smoking ban for town properties and parks.

Previously, councilmembers had disagreed about which public properties should be included in the smoking ban proposed by Deputy Mayor Colleen Gialanella. At this meeting, after further discussion, the council revised the ordinance to remove Scotch Hills Golf Course from the ban (except for the minigolf course) and left room to designate a smoking area outside the municipal building.

Gialanella brought up the idea for a ban at previous meetings, voicing her thoughts that smoking should not be happening in public recreation areas where children are at play, and also her concern that the town's turf fields could be harmed by cigarette butts.

"There shouldn’t be smoking where our kids are playing or running up and down the fields," said Gialanella. "It's ridiculous."

The ordinance will be scheduled to be introduced at Tuesday's meeting.

Gialanella responded by saying that she had discussed that specific concern with the recreation commission and it was with the support of the recreation commission that Scotch Hills be included. At Tuesday's meeting, Gialanella agreed to remove Scotch Hills from the ordinance to appease her fellow councilmembers, but again noted that she had the approval of the recreation commission in including it in the ban.

What do you think: Should smoking be banned on public parks and properties? Tell us in the comments.