HomeMy WebLinkAbout072915_City smoking ban downtown parks
website: rentonwa.gov
City of Renton - 1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
July 29, 2015
For more information contact:
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator, 425-430-6569
Downtown Renton Parks and Facilities near the Transit Center to Become Smoke-Free
RENTON: Starting August 16, smoking is banned in parks and facilities in downtown Renton, including Piazza
Park, Gateway Park, the former Big 5 lot, and the north side of the Renton Pavilion Event Center. Renton City
Council revised the parks rules and adopted an ordinance to make it illegal to smoke in parks and facilities
close to the Renton Transit Center. Smoking has been banned by King County Metro in the Transit Center and
as a result the city has seen an increase in smoking and a littering of cigarette butts around the adjacent parks
and facilities.
“The smoking ban is part of our commitment to clean up and revitalize downtown Renton, and create a
welcoming place that encourages development and investment in our city,” said Mayor Denis Law.
It is a civil infraction to violate this ordinance and the penalty is a $250 fine. Renton police will initially issue
warnings to inform and educate the public about the smoke-free policy. Signs have been posted in each of the
locations downtown notifying the public of the ban. The goal is to obtain compliance through education and
warnings. Visitors who refuse to comply will be cited and may be asked to leave and ultimately face the
possibility of expulsion. While it will not be considered a criminal offense, Renton police officers will be
enforcing these rules.
Smoking is defined by Washington state law as the carrying or smoking of any kind of lighted pipe, cigar,
cigarette, or any other lighted smoking equipment. Prohibited smoking and tobacco products include, but are
not limited to: bidis, cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, clove cigarettes, hookahs, pipes, and marijuana.
Existing state law prohibits smoking in indoor public spaces (restaurants, retail commercial stores, etc.) and
within 25 feet of those locations. More than 1,000 municipal parks nationwide are currently smoke-free.
For more information, visit rentonwa.gov.
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