Politics & Government

All Strongsville Property — Including Parks — to be Tobacco-Free Soon

Starting Oct. 1, there's no smoking on any city-owned land

The city is outlawing tobacco on all Strongsville-owned property, including parks and buildings — and even in your car in a city parking lot.

The new policy takes effect Oct. 1 and applies to smoking any type of cigarettes, cigars or pipes and also to chewing tobacco, the new policy says.


Previously, Strongsville prohibited smoking in city-owned buildings and vehicles. 

"We want to provide a healthy environment for our employees, residents and visitors," Human Resources Director Steve Kilo said.

There will be no designated smoking areas on any city property. The roughly 10 percent of city employees who smoke won't be required to stop, but if they want a few puffs during the work day, they'll have to leave city property — and get out of their city car, if they drive one.

Mayor Tom Perciak hinted at the policy during his state-of-the-city address in March, saying it could become part of his ongoing employee wellness program.

Kilo said other cities have adopted similar policies — Shaker Heights did just a few days ago, and Euclid did last year. Cleveland State also now has a tobacco-free campus, he said.

"It's definitely a trend that's moving forward," Kilo said.

The measure says it is designed to "promote the health, safety and wellness of our employees, to eliminate the well-known risks attendant to second-hand smoke, as well as to enhance the quality of life of all those whom we serve including residents who may visit our public city facilities and related areas."

Signs will be posted in all public areas.

The measure is a policy, not as a law, and won't include penalties for those who violate it — other than for employees, who could face disciplinary action.

For the public, it will be enforced the same way existing no-smoking policies are.

"Right now, if somebody tried to light up indoors, you'd tell them not to do it," Kilo said. "It's the same as the policy against bringing beverages into the rec center. If someone does, they're asked to get rid of it."

The policy says its success "depends upon the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of tobacco users and non-tobacco users. Supervisors, employees and visitors share the responsibility for adhering to and enforcing the policy."



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