Smoking, vaping, similar acts no longer allowed on city property under new policy

by: Gage Teunissen

Posted: Jun 8, 2023 / 01:18 PM CDT

Updated: Jun 8, 2023 / 09:26 PM CDT

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — Smoking, vaping, or similar acts will no longer be allowed on city-owned property in Sioux City under a new policy.

The Siouxland District Health Department stated in a Thursday release that the city revised its tobacco policy. The new policy is a "new, comprehensive, tobacco and nicotine-free policy."

The new policy will not allow the use of any smoking or vaping products such as cigarettes, cigars, or electronic vaping devices on city-owned property. City-owned property includes places such as city offices, public parks, swimming pools, trails, and baseball and soccer fields, the release said. Smoking and vaping will not be allowed in any existing huts or enclosed areas and will apply to all city employees and residents.

"A lot of younger kids see their friends vaping, they see their siblings vaping, they see their parents vaping and they just asume it's ok. They know that smoking is bad but they don't understand the consequences of vaping yet because they really haven't heard it. And it's very very common to see teens and kids vape more than smoking." says Anais Mares, Health Promotion Specialist &Tobacco Prevention Coordinator

Smoking and vaping will still be allowed on sidewalks in the public right of way, in your vehicle, or in parking lots that are adjacent to public buildings.

Signs, stickers, and clings with tobacco/nicotine-free labels will be posted around the city to designate areas as smoking and vaping-free zones.

The release also talks about some of the dangers of smoking and vaping, such as being the leading cause of preventable diseases, disabilities, and deaths in the United States. It also goes over the additional risk that tobacco and nicotine products have on young people, hindering learning ability and increasing the risk of anxiety and depression.