ENFIELD — The Enfield Selectboard is considering banning or restricting tobacco use on town properties, including parks.
The proposed ordinance would prohibit smoking, chewing and vaping. It also covers cannabis and “tobacco substitute products,” according to a draft copy of the ordinance posted to the town’s website. It calls for $100 fines for people who violate the policy.
“I would like to see an ordinance that effectively bans smoking in or on all town-owned properties,” Selectboard Chairman John Kluge said. “It’s possible we might make some designated areas in large areas, but certainly we don’t want smoking in the buildings or near buildings and we really don’t want smoking in areas where children congregate.”
A public hearing on the proposed ordinance will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the Public Works Building; it can also be streamed online via enfield.nh.us/board-selectmen/events/54181.
The town currently has a policy banning smoking in town-owned buildings and vehicles. There is also a sign outside the town office building asking people to consider not smoking and another at Huse Park asking people to be respectful of others.
“The Board of Selectmen are in total agreement that smoking needs to be dealt with more firmly and in a more organized fashion,” said Kluge, who was a smoker for 25 years before quitting 33 years ago. “We need some good signage, we need some public awareness, and I think we’re also feeling that we’ve reached the stage of health awareness where people recognize the need for this.”
The proposed ordinance is not in response to complaints from residents or persistent issues related to smoking on town property. Earlier this year, a resident contacted the town and asked why there weren’t any rules prohibiting smoking near the playground at Huse Park, town manager Ed Morris said. That prompted a discussion among town officials to come up with a policy that’s more concrete and enforceable.
“It supports the health and safety of our residents and visitors,” Morris said. “I’m sure some people will not be happy.”
There is a possibility that the Selectboard will create designated smoking areas at Huse Park and the Shaker Ball Fields on Route 4A.
Enfield Police Chief Roy Holland supports the policy because it will give officers firmer footing to intervene when conflicts arise.
“We definitely get a fair amount of complaints from families or nonsmokers who are just trying to enjoy the parks or the beach and stuff like that and have people smoking around them,” Holland said.
If the ordinance passes, the town would put up signs about the policy at town properties to inform visitors of the change.
“I don’t think it’ll be a big enforcement issue, just an education thing,” Holland said.
Lebanon enacted an ordinance in 2017 that banned smoking on town properties, including parks, and established designated smoking areas.
“There was kind of a learning curve for people,” Lebanon Police Chief Phil Roberts said. “We dealt with it quite a bit for the first year and a half, but I wouldn’t say it was an overwhelming amount of work or time spent on it.”
Officers took an educational approach with people, pointing out signs about the ban and redirecting them to places where they could smoke.
“We issued a lot of warnings,” Roberts said. “As time has gone on, we really haven’t had any issues or violations.”
People are generally understanding when asked to smoke elsewhere, Roberts said, and officers rarely have to issue fines, which range from $25 to $100.
“I don’t see a lot of people standing at a baseball field or recreation area,” Roberts said. “It’s become common courtesy to go to a designated area or your private property.”
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
