The Avon Lakes City Council passed a pair of smoking bans at their meeting on Monday, one that will ban the use of tobacco in parks and a second that bans tobacco use on nearly all other city-owned property.
The first ban covers the city’s municipal parks and prohibits the use of all forms of tobacco. It also contains an emergency clause, which means the ban goes into effect immediately. According to city code, violators could be charged with a minor misdemeanor, which comes with a fine of up to $100.
The second ban, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2019, applies to any unenclosed land owned or managed by the City, including but not limited to parking lots and landscaped areas, but not including dedicated streets, sidewalks, and tree lawns. Violators will also face a minor misdemeanor and a fine of up to $100.
Avon Lake is located approximately 20 miles west of Cleveland and is home to approximately 23,000 residents.