Easton expands smoking ban to ballfields, conservation land

Town Meeting voters approved a new anti-smoking bylaw Monday night, May 21 after weighing the merits of public health versus personal freedom. By a vote of 69-39 and after the only debated of the evening, the town has now expanded its ban on smoking in public places to include recreational and sports fields and conservation property.

Health Agent Mark Taylor said the board wanted to promote a healthy lifestyle and limit exposure to second-hand smoke. Scofflaws would be fined $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense and $300 for third and subsequent offenses. Selectmen Chairman Colleen Corona called the move to ensure smoke-free ball fields at public-controlled property “another tool in the tool box.” Although most residents supported the move to broaden the smoke-free areas of town, some thought local government was overstepping its bounds.

“The idea of restricting smoking is overreach pure and simple,” Tony Cabral of Poquanticut Avenue said. Conservation commissioner John Grant said his board did not need another agency encroaching on its jurisdiction and imposing its rule on more than 5,000 acres of public land. “I think it’s very presumptuous and it’s totally unnecessary,” he said.

Teenagers may be targeted under a new bylaw that would curb high school students from leaving school property to smoke. Police Chief Allen Krajcik said parents had complained about the practice and the new law was enforceable. “This gives our school resource officer a way to positively intervene and talk to the kids,” he said. “We’re not going to balance the budget by ticketing.”

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