Editorial: Why hesitate? Smoking ban, parks' mission go together

Naperville should join a growing list of communities that ban outdoor smoking in public parks.

A city that prides itself on regularly being named one of the best places in which to raise children should look at a ban as one more positive reason to earn that annual citation.

Which is why we are surprised there is any hesitation in doing what officials in Buffalo Grove, Elmhurst, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Gurnee, Schaumburg and Vernon Hills have done to make their parks smoke-free. Some of those policies have been in effect since the mid-1990s and mid-2000s.

Park board President Mike Reilly questioned whether other regulations would be requested if the park district OK'd a smoking ban. Would others, he asked, want a music ban? Or a dog-free park district?

We think those are red herrings and not worthy of debate. True, there may not be a lot of complaints about smoking, but that doesn't mean that residents wouldn't enjoy and deserve a smoke-free environment.

One complaint was made recently by a few residents following a negative interaction with a baseball player who was smoking at Nike Sports Complex on the city's north side. Others may fear similar negative reactions without the imprimatur of district policy, including signs that clearly spell out the policy.

A proposal to be voted on next week would ban all forms of smoking or tobacco use - including cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes and vaping devices - in all of the district's 137 parks. Smokers would be required to go to the parking lot or nearest public street where parking is permitted to smoke. Exempted would be the district's two golf courses (alcohol, of course, also allowed there) and the downtown Riverwalk, which is maintained by the district but not under its sole jurisdiction.

Park board members point to the district's mission statement as one obvious reason to support such a ban. It says the district's mission is to "promote healthy lives, healthy minds and a healthy community."

"With that being our mission, how could we possibly condone smoking in the park?" asked park board Vice President Rich Janor. "It just seems contrary. It seems to me there would be no reason not to move forward with something like this, especially as it ties to our mission."

We wholeheartedly agree. Given the proven dangers of secondhand smoke, the obvious and proven health risks that smokers assume themselves and the message that the district wants to impart to children and others, it's really a no-brainer. After years of no-smoking rules elsewhere in indoor buildings and stadiums and other facilities, smokers will adapt to this rule as well and allow Naperville's parks to be a completely healthy environment. In fact, we'd encourage every park district to do the same.