Smoking tobacco at all Sahuarita public parks is banned.
A group of 25 students on Anza Trail's Student Wellness Advisory Team proposed a ban on all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and smokeless types of devices, like water pipes and hookah.
"It feels awesome because we have been trying so hard to get this far and I know it will impact a bunch of lives in the community," said Hannah Barney, an Anza Trail's SWAT member.
SWAT members said that they have collected over a thousand cigarettes at the parks.
You will now see non-smoking signs at all 6 @Sahuarita_Az public parks. You will never guess who is behind it @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/gYm74NUK6K
— Priscilla KGUN9 (@PriscillaCasper) August 23, 2016
Every year nearly 54,000 people die from exposure from second hand smoke, according to Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights.
With the new ban in place, some say this takes away their freedom.
What do you think about a smoking ban at all @Sahuarita_Az public parks... Do you think it is fair? @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/vDhUSqlCBY
— Priscilla KGUN9 (@PriscillaCasper) August 23, 2016
"If you are outside, you are outside," said Mark Medina, a Sahuarita resident. "If someone doesn't want to be around smoke then typically just walk away from where that person is... you are outside, you have the right to smoke outside."
Although smoking is banned at the parks, smoking is still allowed in the parking lots.
The SWAT team plans to take this ban to the city and make it a law.
