Smoking ban closer in Chester

By Charles D. Perry - Charles D. Perry

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CHESTER -- Chester County smokers could be fined $250 if they light up on county property under a smoking ban approved by local leaders this week.

The Chester County Council took its first vote on the ban Monday night. The move changes a 2004 policy that allowed smoking at designated sites on county-owned land.

But some people abused that privilege, officials said, and leaders received complaints about too much puffing.

"You still have people that are smoking on county property," Councilman Alex Oliphant said. "You have county employees that are smoking outside the area that they're supposed to."

The new guidelines require those smoking to stay 50 feet from county land. And those wanting to take another drag can't do so at county-owned recreational sites and in county vehicles.

The ban won't affect private businesses.

"I have no desire to ever decide whether ... somebody can smoke in a private restaurant or not," Oliphant said. "I choose not to go in many restaurants where they smoke."

Council members approved the measure by a 3-2 vote. Councilwoman Mary Guy, who voted against the ban, said she doesn't smoke and doesn't have a problem with county buildings being smoke-free.

But, she said, the new requirements are excessive.

"To me, it's getting a little far out to say 50 feet from all county property," she said. "Right now, that's what bothers me."

With county recreational sites, Guy said, she'd rather see smoking restricted to specific distances from the ballfields.

"Nobody's on all the property," she said. "So-many feet from the stadium would be fine. So-many feet from the actual playing field would be fine. But the word 'property' kind of gets me."

Oliphant, who supports the ban, said the move is about health and courtesy.

"It just bothers me," he said. "You're out on the playing field, and your kid's out there playing soccer, (and) you have a couple parents who are sitting over there smoking. You have to smell everybody's smoke, and that's not fair."

Leaders must vote on the ban two more times before it becomes permanent.