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Smokers likely have only a few more weeks to light up in parks and near buildings in Yuba City.
The Yuba City Council is moving closer to adopting an ordinance that bans all forms of tobacco use in city parks and within 50 feet of any city-owned or leased building.
The discussion has shifted to one about individual rights and freedoms rather than smoking itself.
“One man's freedom is another man's tyranny.' Abraham Lincoln said that,” said resident Elaine Miles at Tuesday's council meeting. “This is tyranny against smokers. And what will it be — perfume, fat people — next?”
Council members voted 4-1 Tuesday to introduce the ordinance and waive the first reading, after 13 people addressed members with their support and concerns. Councilman John Dukes voted no.
The ordinance must go before council members once more before final adoption. It is not yet known when it will return.
Smoking a cigarette at a picnic table at Sam Brannan Park Wednesday, Yuba City resident Steven Howard said he was disappointed by the council's action.
“I agree that you should keep smoking away from the playgrounds in parks,” Howard said. “If I'm away from the playground, then I should have the right to smoke.”
Smoking is a nasty habit, said resident Ray Bull, who added he smoked for 30 years. That habit affects anyone around, especially through secondhand smoke, he added.
“There is a lot of things out there that harm our kids, but this is one thing we can prevent or try to prevent because they are not old enough to make those decisions,” he said. “Let's keep our young children's lungs safe.”
Appeal-Democrat reporter Ashley Gebb can be contacted at (530) 749-4724 or agebb@appealdemocrat.com.
The Yuba City Council is moving closer to adopting an ordinance that bans all forms of tobacco use in city parks and within 50 feet of any city-owned or leased building.
The discussion has shifted to one about individual rights and freedoms rather than smoking itself.
“One man's freedom is another man's tyranny.' Abraham Lincoln said that,” said resident Elaine Miles at Tuesday's council meeting. “This is tyranny against smokers. And what will it be — perfume, fat people — next?”
Council members voted 4-1 Tuesday to introduce the ordinance and waive the first reading, after 13 people addressed members with their support and concerns. Councilman John Dukes voted no.
The ordinance must go before council members once more before final adoption. It is not yet known when it will return.
Smoking a cigarette at a picnic table at Sam Brannan Park Wednesday, Yuba City resident Steven Howard said he was disappointed by the council's action.
“I agree that you should keep smoking away from the playgrounds in parks,” Howard said. “If I'm away from the playground, then I should have the right to smoke.”
Smoking is a nasty habit, said resident Ray Bull, who added he smoked for 30 years. That habit affects anyone around, especially through secondhand smoke, he added.
“There is a lot of things out there that harm our kids, but this is one thing we can prevent or try to prevent because they are not old enough to make those decisions,” he said. “Let's keep our young children's lungs safe.”
Appeal-Democrat reporter Ashley Gebb can be contacted at (530) 749-4724 or agebb@appealdemocrat.com.
