Stronger teen ‘vaping’ ordinance discussed in Canton

Julie Brown
Staff Writer

Canton Township officials are stepping up a smoking ban to include vaping products, which have been marketed to teens.
Township trustees Nov. 13 were asked to adopt a legal measure related to the Parks and Recreation Ordinance. The final step of enacting is the second reading of the ordinance at the Nov. 26 Board of Trustees meeting.

The proposed ordinance language would ban smoking in all Leisure Services facilities and parks, and restrict smoking to designated areas at Pheasant Run and Fellows Creek Golf Course. It would, if approved, be effective Jan. 1, 2020.
“It's just an overall health and wellness push,” explained Greg Hohenberger, Canton Leisure Services director.  “It certainly can affect your enjoyment of the evening,” he said of events at the Summit.”
The proposed Canton ordinance amendment addresses growing public health concern about teen vape use. The Leisure Services staffer noted many municipalities in the U.S. are enacting similar laws. The Canton legal measure updates a 2009 ordinance.
In Canton, police personnel wouldn't be the primary means of helping enforcement, added Hohenberger.
Township Supervisor Pat Williams noted the current community Live Well Canton initiative which includes mind and body health as a further incentive to adopting the measure.