An ordinance approved with the 6 votes of the council will prohibit the smoking of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and tobacco in parks and buildings surrounding public facilities in the city of Hialeah.
This ordinance provides for fines or an educational alternative for the first two violations.
Mónica Pérez, president of the Hialeah council, explained that “a first violation of the ordinance you can choose between taking a two-hour course: “Tools to quit” with the state of Florida, or paying a fine $100. For a second violation they have to choose between a $200 fine and a 4-week course. And the third time, $500.”
And on that third occasion the fine is the only option.
Hialeah’s parks director welcomed the city council’s vote. William Sánchez argues that “this is work that began in 2008 and today became law for the city.”
For Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo, the new ordinance banning smoking in city parks is a way to raise awareness about the harms of smoking. “I think the spirit of this legislation is to create a healthy environment in our parks.”
For the president of the Hialeah council, who proposed the ordinance finally approved today after a second reading, the content of this regulation is personal and that is why the ordinance bears a name.
Hialeah residents have welcomed the smoking ban in parks.
“I see it well because at the end of the day, that hurts the children, and not only the children, but the whole world,” says Gabriela Bardales, a Hialeah resident.
Yoel Castellanos, another Hialeah resident, points out: “The one who smokes is affected, but the one next to it is affected, too, because they end up inhaling the smoke that does not belong to them. The ban makes sense and hopefully we will be able to stop smoking.
