News and Events
City of Okeechobee Parks are Tobacco Free
April 2, 2024
On April 2, 2024, the City of Okeechobee adopted an Ordinance making all public parks in the city limits tobacco and vape free. This new ordinance will protect our children’s health, support tobacco users who want to quit, and keep our community clean.
Tobacco free spaces support our community in many ways. These spaces improve health by providing fewer opportunities for youth to start smoking and reducing secondhand smoke exposure. Across the nation, cigarettes are by far the most littered item in the country. Cigarette butts are harmful if ingested by children, pets, or other animals. These ordinances help lower cigarette litter, encourage people to make healthy choices, and increase quit attempts.
Group photo left to right: Councilmember David McAuley, Vice Mayor Monica Clark, seated, Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Councilmember Noel Chandler, and Councilmember Bob Jarriel.
Mayor Dowling Watford stated “I am very pleased the City Council voted to make our parks smoke-free. This will protect our children from secondhand smoke and prevent the litter from cigarette butts. I often take my grandchildren to the parks, and I am glad they will not be exposed to cigarette smoke.”
City Administrator Gary Ritter, along with all 5 Council members, were in support of this ordinance and agreed with Mayor Watford that it will be nice to be able to enjoy outdoor spaces without exposure to secondhand smoke.
The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee was instrumental in assisting the City of Okeechobee in making these changes. If you would like to learn more about what the partnership is doing in Okeechobee or ways you can get involved visit our website at https://tfp-okeechobee.org; or you can email us at: info@tfp-okeechobee.org
