06/28/98

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Smoking ban stomped out

NP Commission won't consider outdoor ban, for now

It appears the so-called smoking ban on North Port city property has been stomped out like a cigarette butt.

Earlier this month, City Manager Paul Kaskey said he "wouldn't be opposed to banning tobacco products on all city property." Kaskey's comment came during a workshop meeting with the city parks and recreation board. Commissioner Hazel Hardman, who contends she is allergic to smoke, also called for a smoking ban on all city property.

But the tough talk against smoking looks to be just that. Hardman said Friday she will not bring a smoking ban to the rest of the commission for a vote. Kaskey could not be reached for comment, but his secretary, Pat Gering, said the city manager has no plans to submit anti-smoking legislation to commissioners either. Smokers don't need to worry about losing their right to smoke on city grounds for now. The other four commissioners -- Joe Fink, Tony Gustitus, Roy Hall, George Mullen -- each said they won't bring a smoking ban proposal to the dais.

With state law already outlawing smoking inside government facilities, the ban would have essentially included outdoor areas like parks and city parking lots. That's what angered Jacqueline Miller, president of Florida Smokers' Rights Association Inc. Last week, before city officials softened their stance on tobacco, Miller sent a letter to Kaskey, chastising the no-smoking proposal. Calling the measure appalling and outrageous, Miller wrote the ban will "discriminate against and harass your city employees, your residents and any potential visitors in North Port."

Miller, 48, a St. Petersburg beautician, said the pro-smoking organization is 1,000-members strong around the state. It is allied with similar groups in other states.

"They're trying to be ugly to a segment of society that has basically become an outcast," Miller said Friday. "There are other answers than running people off the premises. I would say they need to rethink their ideas. It's a little draconian for these people to threaten to take these actions."

Miller vowed to send representatives from Florida Smokers Rights Association to North Port City Hall if the city remained bent on passing the ban. Gustitus said you can't change the world in one day, referring to the all-out smoking ban on city property.

"Sometimes people make a statement like 'I wouldn't mind if they banned smoking all together,' but it doesn't mean we're going to bring that forward," Mullen said.

Park board member Jeff Smith started the no-smoking dialog when he asked the City Commission to consider a smoking ban in parks during youth sports games. Mullen said he may look into that, but not an all-out smoking ban.

Until then, as the saying goes, smoke 'em if you got 'em.

By GRANT BOXLEITNER

Staff Writer