Smoking and vaping could soon be banned at public parks throughout Garden Grove.
It comes as city officials explore hiring unarmed security guards to patrol a score of parks throughout the city in an effort to prevent vandalism and other lower-level crimes.
[Read: Neighboring OC Cities Look to Private Security to Patrol Parks]
Last week, Garden Grove City Council members voted 5-0-1 to have staff draft up an ordinance to be considered down the road. Councilman Joe DoVinh abstained and Councilman George Brietigam was absent.
Councilwoman Yesenia Muneton, who spearheaded the proposal, said the ban applies to all tobacco and marijuana products – including nicotine vape pens – at city parks and the parking lots.
“Who is going to enforce this ordinance? Well first I would hope that with public education … people would voluntarily comply,” Muneton said at the Sept. 9 meeting.
It comes after some cities, like Irvine, have outright banned smoking and vaping in virtually all public places – parks, streets, parking lots, apartment complexes and on all city owned property.
Buena Park, Dana Point and Laguna Beach have enacted similar smoking bans.
Councilwoman Ariana Arestegui said Garden Grove currently has an F rating on the American Lung Association’s annual report card.
“That’s tabulated in a manner that looks at our policies regarding smoking in indoor spaces and outdoor spaces … and our rules regarding tobacco selling establishments,” Arestegui said.
The association’s report card notes that Orange County received an F grade – meaning that the air for 3.2 million residents could pose a health risk.
The American Lung Association also notes that nearly half of the people throughout the United States live with high levels of air pollution.
Councilman Phillip Nguyen asked if enforcing the proposed smoking ban would mean hiring more people.
City Manager Lisa Kim said it’s too early to tell.
“I will definitely touch base with all our department directors that may have a role – potentially – in enforcement and oversight and administration of the proposed ordinance.”
Spencer Custodio is the civic editor. You can reach him at scustodio@voiceofoc.org. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerCustodio.