BELLEVIEW, FL (352today.com) – You take your kids to the park on a beautiful afternoon. You can’t wait to watch as they enjoy the outdoors instead of their screens. As they run toward the swings, you take a deep breath of fresh air… only to end up breathing in cigarette smoke. For many Belleview families, this experience has been all too common – until now.
Families visiting Belleview’s parks will now enjoy cleaner air and safer spaces, thanks to a new smoke-free policy passed by the Belleview City Commission on April 1, 2025. The policy bans smoking, vaping, and the use of electronic cigarettes in all city-owned outdoor recreation areas.
|TRENDING: Marion County is growing fast: Here’s how it could impact your daily life
As the American Academy of Pediatrics notes, children are especially vulnerable to secondhand smoke. It can trigger asthma, respiratory infections, and even effect long-term lung development. By getting rid of tobacco and vaping use in parks like Lake Lillian, the Wilma Loar Splash Park, and Fred King Park, the city aims to safeguard the well-being of its youngest residents.
Mayor Christine Dobkowski stressed the importance of public spaces being safe for everyone, especially children. “This measure is more than just policy – it’s about protecting the health and quality of life of everyone in Belleview. We are taking an important step in fostering a cleaner, healthier, and more family-friendly city for generations to come.”