At the June 19, 2018, Town Council meeting, the Fountain Hills Town Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting smoking in all town parks, trailheads and town open spaces. Fountain Hills joins a growing number of Arizona communities that have banned smoking due to health, fire safety, and environmental reasons.
The ordinance comes from the direction of the Mayor and Council who had received numerous complaints from residents about smoking and litter caused from cigarette butts disposed of improperly at parks. The litter from cigarettes is sometimes consumed by dogs and wild animals which causes harm to the animals. Cigarette litter is also a major complaint from visitors and residents who utilize the town’s parks.
The ordinance takes effect immediately and bans the use of tobacco, electronic cigarettes, or vapor pens within parks, trails, and open space under the jurisdiction of the town. The ordinance also authorizes the Community Services Director to identify specific designated smoking areas in the Town parks, trailhead and open spaces. Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin will be working in the weeks ahead in identifying locations to designate as smoking areas.
In the coming weeks, the town will be installing new signage in the parks, trailhead and open space areas noting the no-smoking ordinance.
To view the ordinance, please visit: http://www.fh.az.gov/Archive.aspx?AMID=39