Buffalo Grove Park District adds e-cigarettes, vaping to smoking ban
The Buffalo Grove Park District has updated its ordinance banning smoking on park district grounds to include electronic cigarettes and vaping, officials announced Monday.
The ordinance has implications for this summer's Buffalo Grove Days festival, which for the first time will take place on park district property, at Mike Rylko Community Park.
"In the past, when only the carnival was on park district property, there was a lot of confusion as to where smoking was or was not allowed, Adriane Johnson, president of the park district board, said in a news release. "Now that the entire festival is going to be on park district property, there is no confusion. The entire Buffalo Grove Days festival will be a completely smoke-free event."
Under the smoking ban, which initially passed in July 2005, a person smoking on district property will be given a warning for a first offense. Subsequent offenses could lead to fines ranging from $25 to $100, as well as the loss of any permits obtained to use park district facilities.
Park district Executive Director Ryan Risinger said the district has never had to issue a fine for smoking.
"Since we first instituted this policy, we have been very successful in getting compliance by politely letting people know about the ordinance when we see someone smoking on park district property," he said. "On those rare occasions when that happens, people are apologetic, and always put out their cigarette."