Idaho Falls City Council proposes smoke-free zones in parks

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, smoking kills more people each year than alcohol, cocaine, murder, fire, and AIDS combined.

The Idaho Falls City Council held a work session Monday to discuss a resolution to create smoke-free and tobacco-free zones at local parks.

The resolution for tobacco-free zones in city parks passed, a resolution states a position or policy, an ordinance is a local law that regulates persons or property.

According to the city of Idaho Falls Facebook website a grant provided by the American Lung Association will fund the first 100 tobacco-free zone signs.

The city plans posting the first sign at the Japaneses Friendship Garden.

Avid park jogger, Pat Bragassa said he’s all for having tobacco-free parks.

“When I’ve been out running I’ve come across a big whiff of smoke. Look at the data on tobacco smoking, you shouldn’t be smoking in public places,” Bragassa said.