SMOKING BANNED AT PARKS, BEACHES
To the list of prohibitions in San Mateo County parks -- pets,
hard liquor and amplified music -- add smoking.
The board of supervisors unanimously banned smoking Tuesday from
all county-operated parks, trails and beaches.
``It seems so obvious that you wouldn't be allowed, or shouldn't
be allowed, to smoke in our county parks,'' said Supervisor Jerry
Hill, who sponsored the ordinance with Supervisor Rich Gordon.
``I remember a number of times sitting in a picnic area, having
a nice picnic, and there just happens to be -- because it's so
nice and open -- people feel that they can sit at another table
nearby and smoke a nice, big cigar,'' Hill said. ``That just
kind of spoiled it all for me.''
Smoking will be banned from the county's 17 parks and 12 trails
and their parking areas, possibly as soon as March 15.
The county cited secondhand smoke exposure, litter and fire
hazards as reasons.
