May 28, 2015 Patrick Lagreid Regulations,  Smoking Bans

Seattle Revamps Parks Smoking Ban, Recommendation Expected This Week

Seattle may still be getting a parks smoking ban, but the punishments for violators will likely be much less severe after a pair of groups protested the ban, saying it would unfairly target the homeless and minorities.

Both the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Persons (NAACP) and Americans Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) were vocal opponents to the proposal, and it was their opposition that led to the city eliminating a fine from the proposal in place of a warning. Yet both groups think the ban is still a bad idea, according to a report from KPLU.org.

The revised proposal does contain language that says two warning could lead to an arrest, as well as providing for a citizen committee to monitor the effects of the ban, particularly as it pertains to the homeless and persons of color.

A recommendation from the Seattle Parks Committee to the Seattle City Council is still expected this week.

Seattle is home to an estimated 652,405 residents.

King County Seattle Washington
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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, the G-League's Valley Suns, and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.

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