Letter to Gulfport: 'Great Job, Teen Council'

Great job, Teen Council

At the last Regular City Council Meeting, held on November 1^st, agenda item 6, Ordinance A 2011 – 2013 came up. It was the second hearing for a ban on smoking on the beach, playgrounds and ball fields. This issue was intriguing to the Teen Council, since this was an issue that they prepared for and were willing to speak to the City Council about. The three teens that were present were anxious and held their prepared speeches and waited their turn to speak.

When the agenda item came up, they each got a chance to speak. Their message was simple: Instead of banning smoking on the whole beach, why not do half the beach. This way, the playground by the Recreation Center will be protected from cigarette butts and little children won’t be tempted to put them into their mouths.

When my daughter spoke, I was very proud of what she wrote and how she delivered her message. This was her first time addressing City Council. When she came back from the podium, she said her knees were knocking. I told her “you’re braver than me,” as I am fearful of getting up there.

As the public session for the smoking ban continued, one resident (Al Davis) came up to the podium and said “I am not here to represent teens for cancer”. He went on to insult the parents of the teens who spoke, for apparently, we all advocated smoking. He talked of his support for the smoking ban and to display how bad smoking really is, he pulled out his feeding tube and showed it to the teens and people sitting in the room. He explained it was because of smoking. Immediately, the teens went from being proud of exercising their civic duty to being upset, insulted and angry.  How disrespectful, I thought. Now I felt angry and felt the need to say something. The teens said nothing of advocating smoking. They asked for a “compromise”. They were open-minded about an issue that only a few could fight. After all, if most of Gulfport doesn’t smoke, why should the majority care what they think? 

After hearing many residents talk of their personal experiences with cancer and picking up cigarette butts, it started to become apparent that this wasn’t a forum addressing the need to ban smoking on the beach, but how bad smoking is for you and the apparent litter problem associated with smoking.

When I spoke to City Council, I made a point by saying there is more second-hand smoke at a City event, i.e. Gecko Fest, Art Walks, 4^th of July, etc. than on the beach, with a sea breeze. But we are not talking about banning that. That second-hand smoke is OK, because business is making money. I explained that I am an ex-smoker and don’t personally like the smell of smoke. But I don’t avoid these events, because I have learned “tolerance”.

When the public session closed, each Councilmember got their chance to speak. Everyone thanked the Teen Council and praised what they did. When Vice Mayor Hastings spoke, he started by praising the Teens, but then told them he has more experience than they do and suggested they go back on the internet and do more research.

Now the teens have been insulted by a resident and now a Councilmember. Again, the teens didn’t say anything about the advocacy of smoking. They simply asked for a “compromise”.

How could a compromise be misconstrued as advocacy? As proud parents, we were now insulted as well as the teens. How did this become a personal attack on our youth? The answer, I believe, is passion. A deep passion felt by Vice Mayor Hastings, Al Davis and anyone else that has been affected, in some way, with cancer.

I truly feel for those affected, including my own family, by cancer. But let’s be honest and objective, just for a moment. Most of us have the sense to know that by breathing in a breath or two of smoke, is not going to cause cancer. If one does believe this, than I suggest one stay indoors and not leave their home. Because in case one hasn’t noticed, Tampa Bay does not have the cleanest air or water. It’s called “pollution”.

Years back, the state made it illegal to smoke indoors, in public places. Many bars and restaurants were given a “compromise”. They started seating people outdoors, where they can eat, drink and yes, smoke. Many office workers need to smoke outdoors, usually by the entrance of the building.

I believe most of us, by now, know the dangers of smoking and the effects it has on others. Certainly our teens do. I believe the real problem with second-hand smoke comes from being indoors. People, who are exposed to smoke all day, like children or family members in a home. Not from a breath or two here and there. This argument being used isn’t logical or objective. It is passionate. So passionate, that after the unanimous vote for the ban by the City Council, we learned that one of the teens saw a piece of paper being passed around by the residents, with a picture of three teens smoking.

Truly, I ask, is this even right? Did our teens get the proper respect? They deserved better from that resident and our Council. In fact, if this is for the “children”, as many Councilmembers said before they voted, then why didn’t you listen to them? They have learned tolerance and compromise. They haven’t been pressured by others or overwhelmed with personal feelings not to be objective.  

For all those reading my letter and are now upset at me, let me say this; I don’t have a problem with the ban at the play grounds and ball fields, but a compromise would have been nice to see at the beach. I don’t care for the smell of smoke, but have tolerance for those who do. I truly believe this is more of a litter issue on the beach and a nuisance, rather than a health issue. Vice Mayor Hastings states there are 17 percent of Floridians who smoke. If Gulfport has at least 11,000 residents, that would equate to 1,870 residents you just told don’t matter. So when you’re going to the beach and you pass a smoker on the sidewalk, in front of the playground, ask yourself; was it worth it? Did I really vote for the right reason? Did I do my best to help accommodate everyone, or just the 83 percent who don’t smoke? Because, I will certainly think about your vote and the actions of a few residents, the next time we are at a City event and I smell smoke right next to me. I am sure the 1,870 other residents will think of you as well.

And for goodness’ sake, leave the doodles and comments at home. After all, we’re supposed to be role models, aren’t we? Our small community is becoming divided. We used to have tolerance for everyone. What happened?

Let’s support our teens. We are proud of them. After all, they have learned tolerance from us.

Steven Karbowski