Glenbrooke News

Attention, Elk Grove smokers: New rules are coming to town that will affect where you can light up.

The city council Wednesday voted 4-1 to approve an ordinance banning smoking within 300 feet of schools, parks and other places where children gather.

The ban contains a loophole that would allow for smoking areas to be set up in parks during the city's Pumpkin Festival and other special events.

"I think the issue is we don't want to cause secondhand smoke...but at the same time I'm not into regulating individual liberty," said Councilmember Patrick Hume in voting for the resolution with the exception.

Councilmember Sophia Scherman said she had received complaints from veterans concerned they wouldn't be able to smoke while attending the city's annual Veterans Day festivities.

The council passed the ban after previously considering outlawing tobacco sales near children's facilities. That idea failed when council members discovered that too many businesses were already selling cigarettes in those areas and by law would have to be exempted from the rules.

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