Old Lyme moving toward no-smoking policy

Ban at beaches, parks, town buildings could be in effect this summer

Old Lyme — A no-smoking policy for beaches, parks and town buildings could be in place this summer.

The Board of Selectmen reviewed a draft of the tobacco-free policy on Monday and planned to send the policy, with some revisions, to the town attorney for review.

First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder said she would like to see a no-smoking policy in place before summer starts and people begin patronizing the town’s parks. She said she has heard concerns from people about smoke drifting toward them when they are sitting on the beach. Children also play on the beach and find cigarette butts when they are digging through the sand.

“It’s really a health concern,” she said.

The town’s Safety Committee had recommended a no-smoking policy after cigarettes tossed aside near Town Hall led to two small fires a few years ago.

Reemsnyder noted that many communities in Connecticut already have adopted some kind of smoke-free policy.

The draft of the policy reviewed on Monday states the town is banning tobacco products at town facilities as a matter of public health. The draft policy prohibits the use of any form of tobacco, cigarettes, pipes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and hookah pipes at or on any town facility or surrounding that facility.

The policy would apply to town facilities, including public buildings, athletic fields, beaches, parks, playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, and hiking trails.

The draft policy said that violators of the smoke-free policy will be reminded of the policy, while repeated violations may lead to restricted or denied access to the facilities and/or fines.

Reemsndyer said that if there are fines the town would likely need an ordinance stating what the fines would be.

The town attorney is expected to advise whether the selectmen should pursue a no-smoking policy or an ordinance, and the selectmen could adopt it at an upcoming meeting, said Reemsnyder.

Reemsnyder said in some cases — for example beaches and possibly parks — the town may need to set aside a designated location where smoking is allowed.

The selectmen discussed adding town vehicles to the smoking ban and banning smoking 25 feet from an entrance to a public building.

Selectman Skip Sibley also recommended that in addition to banning smoking on hiking trails, the policy should also say smoking is banned on the town’s open space parcels.