Are you heading to a South Haven beach or park in the next few weeks? Consider leaving your cigarettes or vaping pen at home, or at least out of your beach bag.
The South Haven city council voted to ban smoking at public beaches and parks at its meeting on Monday, South Haven City Manager Brian Dissette said. The vote passed 5-1, with City Council Member Steve Schlack as the only dissenter.
The ban prohibits any type of smoking — including vaping.
Dissette also noted that smoking also will be banned on sidewalks near beaches because because those sidewalks technically are part of the parks system.
South Haven joined at least 15 other Michigan cities and counties that have smoke-free beaches and parks, according to the South Haven Department of Public Works.That number doesn't include the other 40 or so places across Michigan that have tobacco-free beaches and parks.
There are exemptions to South Haven's ordinance amendment. The city will allow smoking in designated areas near the larger beaches and parks, including North Beach, South Beach, Riverfront Park and Stanley Johnston Park, local newspaper The Herald-Palladium reported. Also, municipal marinas are exempt from the new ordinance.
The ordinance amendment will likely go into effect around July 18, Dissette said. But, he said, the city council wants to make sure the public is aware of the new law through news releases, social media and signs.
"The city council and staff discussed spending the next 30 days educating the public before enforcement begins," he said.
First-time violators will be fined $50, according to The Herald-Palladium. After that, consequences increase, with citizens who violate the law four or more times eligible for up to a $500 fine.
This new ordinance was first introduced to the city council at a Parks Commission meeting in October 2017. The commission said South Haven has been fielding complaints about discarded cigarette butts and unwelcome smoke for years.
Dissette formally gave the ordinance amendment to the city council at its meeting on June 18, according to the meeting's minutes.
Schlack said at the June 18 meeting that he agreed with having designated smoking areas, but felt "enforcement will be a nightmare."
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