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The reasons given for a ban on use of all tobacco products include: <br />■ Role -modeling is important for youth -prevention. <br />■ Spit tobacco also produces litter. <br />■ A total ban is black/white, making it clear to park goers. <br />■ Role -modeling for all youth trumps the civil liberties of 18% of people. <br />(Percentage of smokers given by McFadden) <br />3. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION: <br />At their November 15, 2010 meeting, the City Council heard a presentation summarizing <br />discussions and the four votes on the four variations on the regulation. Chair Jim Taylor <br />was present and stated his opinion that all parks should be tobacco free, and the Council <br />discussed whether it needed to be addressed at this time and whether government needed <br />to be regulating life style choices by ordinance. <br />The City Council also discussed that tobacco would be allowed at events in parks through <br />a Special Event Permit. For example, the Hugo Lions Club applies annually for a Special <br />Event Permit for Good Neighbor Days to allow for alcohol to be served, amplified music <br />and an extension of park hours. The Lions Club could choose to include an exemption <br />from a tobacco use policy also. <br />A motion was made and seconded to support the policy prohibiting the use of tobacco in <br />parks. The motion was carried which tabled the discussion to allow the Parks <br />Commission to further consider the policy and provide a recommendation to the City <br />Council. <br />4. JANUARY PARKS COMMISSION DISCUSSION: <br />At the January 12, 2011 meeting, the Parks Commission discussed feedback from the <br />City Council on the tobacco use policy. The Parks Commission discussed changing the <br />policy to state "whenever youth activities are present". They also discussed that allowing <br />tobacco at large events is contrary to the rational for the policy that provides for the <br />public's health and safety. The discussion was tabled to allow further discussion by the <br />Parks Commission at the February meeting. <br />5. YOUTH ATHLETIC POLICY RESEARCH: <br />Staff was asked to research youth athletic policies related to tobacco use. In the <br />Minnesota Youth Soccer Associations Rules and Policy Manual it states: <br />"An individual attending an MYSA sponsored or sanctioned game shall not use or <br />consume, buy, sell or give away: any beverage containing alcohol; tobacco in any form; <br />or any other controlled substance while present at the playing venue. This rule does not <br />apply to properly prescribed medication. " <br />