Teen Council Offers Compromise to Smoking Ban

The Gulfport City Council voted 5-0 to ban smoking at the city beach and other outdoor public areas. But there were questions, concerns and ideas expressed before the final vote.

For nearly an hour, people of all ages addressed the council about the proposed smoking ban.

Gulfport Teen Council President Nolan Sloan was first to speak during public session. Sloan spoke on behalf of the Teen Council.

“We believe that all residents of Gulfport should be allowed to enjoy the beach." Sloan suggested that the best thing to do is ban half the beach. Pass a ban on smoking on the beach closest to the Gulfport Recreation Center and allow smoking on the beach near the Gulfport Casino.

“We believe that this should make everyone welcome at Gulfport Beach... We also think there should be more ashtrays and signs”

“You don’t want to infringe on people’s right to the pursuit of happiness; some people want to be happy smoking a cigarette on the beach,” Sloan said.

The secretary of the Gulfport Teen Council also spoke up. Elizabeth Brown Worthington, 13, said, “My opinion is, that it’s hard to take away someone’s rights and unless there is constant watch on the beach when or if the law is passed, it will be a hard law to enforce.”

“I think that our Teen Council president has a great idea, ban half the beach, just don’t pass laws you can’t enforce and use the laws you already have.”

Laura Karbowski, 13, another teen council member, said: “I think it is a good idea to put a smoking ban on the beach but only on the playground around the rec center and the playground around and near the casino. The recreation center is the most important, because there could be cigarettes around or in the playground that could be harmful to small children."

Others residents spoke, including Al Davis.

Al Davis first spoke about his disappointment that Clam Bayou was not included in the ban. Then he spoke of his disappointment in the Teen Council.

“I am not here to speak as a member of the Gulfport teens for cancer," Davis offered with irony.

Davis is currently battling cancer. He grabbed his feeding tube and showed the audience.

“This is a feeding tube, this is how I eat, this is what keeps me going. That’s from cancer. I don’t smoke.”

Davis says he's been advised to stay away from anyone who smokes because of the effects, “If you can smell it, you are inhaling carcinogenic stuff.”

“You have an obligation here for this city to do the right thing. If you want the freedom to eat through a feeding tube, then the City Council should just leave it alone, let’s have cigarettes like we have all over now.”

Al's wife, Cindy Davis, also addressed the council in support of the ban but also asking for Clam Bayou to be included.

"Anyone who has known anyone that has had any sort of cancer, particularly throat cancer, should do a little research. It’s a horrifying experience just to watch. Exposing anyone without their permission, I think it's unfair. I can't tell somebody not to smoke when they're on the beach . . .  That’s exposing me to a health hazard. I don’t think it’s a right to expose someone else to a health hazard.”

Ed Barry came forward and opposed the ordinance. “I think personally, government has got to stay out of our lives. We’re going too far with it . . . We need to try and educate them first, even if you pass this, I believe there will be just as many people throwing their butts because they’ll throw them when you’re not looking.”

Doug Hudson came forward with a plastic bag full of cigarette butts. "This is how my mother and I spent our morning today." Hudson said they picked up more than 500 butts between the Rec Center and Casino in about an hour.

"At least 80 percent of these are fresh butts. They didn't wash ashore. By far, cigarette butts are the biggest source of litter on the beach."

"Yes, when we talk about banning smoking on the beach, I hear people talk about smokers' rights, why should smokers be given special consideration?"

Several others spoke as well, for and against the ban. But, after public session, Vice Mayor David Hastings also addressed the audience before the vote, sharing health information and statistics about tobacco and second-hand smoke.

"Tobacco is still the leading cause of throat cancer. Every hour on the hour someone dies from throat cancer in the United States. The health issues are out there. 83 percent of Floridians do not smoke, 17 precent do."

"This is so obvious to me, that we need to, as a City, protect our citizens in public places from cancer causing smoke."

As far as splitting the beach . . . 

"I really do appreciate the three teens that stood up and spoke. Believe me, you're gonna be sitting up here one day yourself. But unfortunately, I have a lot more years of experience. I think I've done a lot more research, and I wish you guys would go back on the Internet and research the evils and perils of second-hand smoke before you sit there and say, 'I think it's OK to be around it,'" Hastings said.

Council Member Jennifer Salmon thanked the Gulfport Teen Council for coming and speaking at the meeting. “I also really appreciate our Teen Council to be concerned about civil liberties. I was very proud to hear you try to figure out a solution to balance the different needs.”

Council Member Sam Henderson called the Teen Council's participation and suggestion "a gift."