News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Tennessee’s House of Representatives passed legislation Monday allowing cities and counties to ban smoking at public playgrounds.
Crossville Representative Cameron Sexton voiced concern over the proposal during last week’s House session.
“Although sometimes things are permissive, I think you have to look at the broad intent of how much authority we are giving [cities and counties] if it does pass,” Sexton said. “The question is, is it just the 50 feet around the playground, or is it the entire 20, 50, however-many-acres around that playground, and how broad of authority are we giving them at this time?”
Knoxville Representative and bill sponsor Rick Staples amended House and Senate Bill 0009 prior to Monday’s session. He said the ban would only apply to playgrounds and not entire parks.
“It would have to be existing playgrounds or playgrounds that are created, and the signage would be posted there,” Staples said. “If there are large properties that a city or county owns and it’s just a section where there’s a playground, that would not [apply] because the rest of the park is open for walkways or anything like that. So this is specific for playgrounds, not walk trails or bike trails.”
Staples said during last week’s House session that several of his constituents in Knoxville requested the proposal after having issues with children being around second-hand smoke.
Dresden Representative Andy Holt voiced concern last week over whether the bill would have a greater impact than its original intent.
“What other lawful activities are we going to allow to be permissively adopted by local governments?” Holt asked. “Members, I think that it is something we should begin to take heed in recognizing that we are now giving to local governments the opportunity to outlaw lawful behaviors because maybe a city or municipality doesn’t agree with those behaviors.”
Memphis Representative G.A. Hardaway supported the bill, citing Stanford University and a 2006 Surgeon General’s report comparing outdoor second-hand smoke to smoke-friendly indoor facilities such as taverns and some homes.
“There is evidence that outdoor smoke is dangerous and that second-hand smoke is dangerous for children when they’re in that proximity,” Hardaway said. “Thank you Mr. Sponsor for the bill. It’s a common-sense bill, and I think everyone in here ought to support it. The children are the state’s responsibility.”
Cookeville Rep. Ryan Williams voted in favor of the bill Monday, while Sexton and Livingston Rep. John Mark Windle voted against it.
