Grand Rapids, Michigan, is one of the latest cities in the state to impose a ban on smoking and vaping in public places, following a vote in October 2020.
The problem here, according to legislation passed by the Grand Rapids City Commission, is that city-owned golf clubs are tax-exempt. City lawmakers voted 6-1 in favor of banning smoking and vaping in the city's parks and playgrounds, choosing Oct. 27, 2020, to move forward with the measure.
Under the legislation, bans on smoking and vaping apply to all types of marijuana and tobacco products. The ordinance is an amendment to the city's overall clean Air ordinance that goes into effect On January 1, 2021 -- similar to other cities and jurisdictions in Michigan and the United States.
Local Commissioner Jon O'Connor was the only legislator to vote against the measure during the October ordinance process. Specifically, he took issue with an amendment to the final ordinance that exempted Indian Trails golf Course, a city-owned golf club.
O 'Connor said the waivers were a classic case of the city "picking winners and losers."
"So basically what we're saying is, if I have enough money to play golf on a golf course that's almost financially unsustainable, that's cool, I can smoke cigars or cigarettes. But if I'm one of the homeless people living in Pekich Park or Heartside Park, shouldn't I be able to smoke there?" Ms. O 'Connor asked, according to a MLive.com report at the time of the vote. He likes cigars on the golf course, he told superlocal news publications through testimony at a Grand Rapids City Commission meeting. However, he makes it clear that golf courses are a failed source of revenue for the city.
O 'Connor also said the ban offsets the city's attempts to reform petty crime, including smoking in public places. However, the almost unanimous vote revealed the existing interpretation of this so-called belief.
Grand Rapids public health officials intend to reduce cigarette butts and e-cigarette pack waste and create healthier environments in city-owned parks and public Spaces through a ban. Interestingly, many of the anticipated enforcement measures for e-cigarettes and smoking bans in parks will rely on posted signs indicating that parks are smoke-free environments.
Grand Rapids is one of nearly 60 jurisdictions in Michigan with smoke-free park policies, according to city officials, Including Sault St. Marie, Traverse City, Escanaba, Grand Haven Township, Howell, Ottawa County, Portage and all of Michigan's state parks and protected lands.