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Frequently Asked Questions about Tobacco-Free Policies for Park Areas in Minn What is current Minnesota state law on smoking outdoors? There is currently no state law that regulates tobacco use in outdoor areas. Are local governments able to enact policies restricting tobacco use? There is nothing in either federal or state law that prohibits local governments from regulating tobacco use outdoors. 1 What is the difference between a park policy and an ordinance? In general, park policies are rules regarding city-owned park property that are established by the city park board and are often approved by the city council. Generally, those who ignore park policies do not receive a fine, but are asked to refrain from using tobacco or .Ieave the premises. City ordinances are city council enactments that regulate people or property and carry a penalty such as a fine for violations. Ordinances often originate from a recommendation passed by the city park board.2 For both park policies and city ordinances, tobacco use is prohibited on city park property. Should a policy cover all property and activities or just youth events? In Minnesota, both types of policies exist, but the recent trend is toward "all property" policies because they may be simpler for citizens to understand, rather than to determine which activities qualify as "youth events." How do other Minnesota cities and townships enforce their policies? Minnesota cities and townships with tobacco-free park policies post signs in their park areas that announce the policy. These signs provide cities with the ability to rely on community and self-enforcement. Many tobacco users look for "no tobacco" signs. These signs empower everyone using the parks to provide friendly reminders about the policy to violators. Signs also help to eliminate the need for any law enforcement presence. The majority of Minnesota cities with policies have received I Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch. (5/4/00). Legal opinion letter to Peter Vogel. 2 League of Minnesota Cities. (2003). Handbookfor Minnesota Cities. [Online]. Available: http://www.lrnnc. orglhandbook/chapter07. pdf. their signs free of charge from Tobacc Recreation. In addition to signs, cities notify the members in a variety of ways: local newsletters, policy reminder cards, recre, brochures, policy statements sent to sport~ and coaches' trainings. Do Minnesota park directors rece tobacco-free policy for city park j Yes! Park directors with such policies O' approve of tobacco-free policies. This was telephone survey of park directors from cities who have had a tobacco-free policy the summer of 2003 or longer. What effect do tobacco-free par~ have on youth? Research has not been completed on topic, but in general, tobacco-free policie! youth tobacco use, particularly by provid opportunity to be tobacco-free role mode the community.3 What other benefits result from 1 free policies? Cigarette filters are not biodegradable, mE not decay and cannot be absorbed by thE A tobacco-free policy reduces park and bl protects toddlers from ingesting filte discarded on the ground. Will policies keep some people fr city parks? Tobacco-free policies for public park are, all citizens have a healthy recreational People go to parks to exercise or rela: tobacco. Smokers work, shop, travel, smoke-free environments every day. Aren't tobacco-free policies for p needless regulation? These policies are similar to those proh and litter or requiring that pets be least duty of policy makers to enact policies tr health of their citizens. 3 Perry, C. (1999). Creating Health Behavior Change: How t Community-Wide Programs for Youth. Thousand Oaks, CA: