TEMPE, Ariz. — The City of Tempe is banning smoking and the use of e-cigarettes in several local parks.
Starting July 29, the city is implementing a smoke-free policy at some of Tempe's most popular recreational parks.
"Smoke-free environments can help promote health, enhance park experiences and protect the environment from smoking-related litter," city officials wrote in a statement.
The city will be putting up stickers at parks to warn residents of the smoke-free policy. Starting in September, the city may issue citations to residents who violate the new rule.
The smoke-free rule applies to the following parks:
- Benedict Sports Complex
- Clark Park
- Creamery Park
- Daley Par
- Escalante Park
- Esquer Park
- Evelyn Hallman Park
- Jaycee Park
- Kiwanis Park
- Moeur Park
- Papago Park
- Parque de Soza
- Rio Salado Parks (Tempe Town Lake, Tempe Beach Park, Town Lake Marina, Giuliano, Tempe Arts Park, etc.)
- Tempe Sports Complex
- Tempe Woman’s Club Park
- Waggoner Park
Tempe banned indoor smoking in 2002 and expanded the policy in 2014 to include indoor e-cigarette use. The city could implement the smoke-free policy at all of Tempe's parks later this year.
Phoenix restricted smoking at its city parks a couple of years ago.
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