Tobacco.org

Thank you for not smoking -- Boca's parks set to ban it 

The maintenance costs and the health issues smoking is generating, though, are a different story.

That's why the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District is invoking a total smoking ban for its three facilities: Sugar Sand Park, Patch Reef Park and the Swim and Racquet Center.

The ban goes into effect May 1.

"It's a different time. Smoking is not chic, it's not cool. It's a filthy, smelly habit and it's very difficult to quit," said Bob Jaffe, chairman of the of the American Cancer Society's south county unit, based in Boca Raton.

The district had a partial ban since 1999 allowing smoking in certain areas such as parking lots. But the privileges under that ban were abused, Jaffe said. He recommended that the district issue a total ban, which was approved in January.

"It's a fire hazard, a maintenance issue and most importantly a health issue," he said.

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