The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Commission asked city staff Tuesday night to describe the designated tobacco use areas planned for parks and recreation facilities, and to bring the information back at its next meeting.

Alex Posada, director of the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, said a proposed ordinance will be brought back for members to decide on a recommendation to the City Council at its scheduled meeting Oct. 14 at

6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 110 E. Cook St., Santa Maria. Posada said the ordinance could be introduced to the council by November or December.

Tuesday, Posada said the details of designated smoking areas hadn't been determined.

“We haven't gotten there yet,” he said.

The commission had the option of a complete ban on tobacco - whether smoked, chewed, dipped or sniffed. Other options included no change, the enforcement of current state laws regulating smoking near playgrounds, and, finally, no change with a public education program.

Sister Janet Corcoran, chairwoman of the Recreation and Parks Commission, said she'd support a complete ban, but supported designated areas as a “compromise” to “respect both sides of the fence as a beginning.”

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She also suggested a review to assess compliance after the ordinance has been in place for one year.

Commissioner Terri Zuniga said any decision should include a public education component. Zuniga said she was more supportive of a ban that designated areas for smoking.

Commissioner Henry Grennan said he favors the options of no change, as well as more enforcement and an educational campaign.

“I'm not big on creating a list of what you can't do,” Grennan said.

Commissioner Bruno Brunello said fines and warnings would have to be enacted in order to enforce the designated smoking areas.

In an Aug. 12 public hearing, the commission heard testimony from 13 speakers, whose recommendations ranged from a total smoking ban to the creation of designated smoking areas.

During public comment Tuesday, the commission heard testimony from others.

Diane Glaser, nurse manager of the student health center at Allan Hancock College, said the campus is in its fifth year as a smoke-free campus except for five designated smoking areas that have been moved to perimeter parking lots this year. She said the campus will be completely smoke free next year.

Bob Cardona spoke against any prohibition of tobacco use, describing a ban as “very unfair” and a “bad idea” at this time.

“Leave the parks open,” Cardona said

Dan Davis, who gave up smoking 40 years ago after smoking from age 13 to 40, encouraged the commission to seek a total tobacco ban.

At the moment, Carpinteria is the only city in Santa Barbara County with a smoking ban in city parks. Adopted in 1994, the ordinance also applies to beaches. Smoking any tobacco product within 25 feet of a playground or a tot lot sandbox area is banned by state law. The law also prohibits the disposal of tobacco-related waste in those areas.

Julian J. Ramos can be reached at 739-2219 or at jramos@santamariatimes.com.

September 10, 2008