Smoking on public golf courses

[Ralph Wiggum]

Inspired by this story, which didn't seem to appear around here.

Michael Jordan gets a no-smoking reminder

After the basketball legend is shown smoking a cigar on public golf course, San Francisco officials remind PGA about ban before Presidents Cup.

If this had happened a month ago, the San Francisco Chronicle and city officials would have been another party skewered in Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame induction speech.

The newspaper published photos Tuesday of Jordan smoking a cigar during a practice round at Harding Park, despite the city's ban on smoking on public golf courses. City officials asked the PGA Tour to remind Jordan he can't smoke while being an honorary assistant at the Presidents Cup.

"It was sort of a gentle nudge reminding them that smoking is illegal and that we would appreciate their support," Recreation and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg told the Chronicle.

As for enforcing the $100 fine on Jordan? Matt Dorsey, the spokesman for City Atty. Dennis Herrera, remains unsure how that will play out.

Said Dorsey: "But don't expect me to ask him for it."

Here is the City of San Francisco ordinance that Jordan violated:

San Francisco's Proposed Policy

State law currently prohibits smoking in most enclosed public spaces or places of employment1 and provides a $250 fine for smoking or disposing of any tobacco-related products within 25 feet of a playground or tot lot sandbox area.

The San Francisco Health Code currently prohibits smoking in certain buildings and enclosed structures including bars, restaurants, sports stadia, child care facilities, places of governmental assembly, polling places, health and educational facilities, business and nonprofit organizations, theatres, aquariums, libraries, museums, and convention halls2.

Sup. Alioto-Pier's proposed legislation would further prohibit smoking,

on any unenclosed area of property in the City and County of San Francisco that is open to the public and under the jurisdiction of the Recreation and Park Commission or any other City department if the property is a park, square, garden, sport or playing field, pier, or other property used for recreational purposes.

This would include the entire outdoor section of Golden Gate Park, all piers used for recreational use under Port control, all City-owned plazas and squares such as Union Square, and public golf courses such as Harding Park. The proposed law would not apply to private property, San Francisco Unified School District grounds, or to public areas outside the jurisdiction of the City such as the Presidio and Ocean Beach. As such, the proposed outdoor smoking policy would be the first for a California county and among the most comprehensive in the state.

The proposal calls for violations to be treated as infractions punishable by a fine of $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second violation within a year, and $500 for the third violation in a year. Only peace officers - uniformed police and sheriff - may issue citations.

I don't want to get into the smoking in bars/restaurants debate, that's been done to death.

But I see absolutely no rationale for banning smoking on a public or private golf course.  What's the point?

What say you?

[Eupher]

I'm a rabid ex-smoker (quit more than 30 years ago), but this is patent silliness.

[thundley4]

With Illinois outlawing smoking within 15 ft of any entry way to a building, the only place to smoke downtown is the Central Park, or the middle of the street.

[Ralph Wiggum]

With Illinois outlawing smoking within 15 ft of any entry way to a building, the only place to smoke downtown is the Central Park, or the middle of the street.

There's always Daley Plaza, as long as you stay away from the post office.

[Chris_]

A quote from my grandfather from some 40 odd years ago....."The only time it should be acceptable for a person to smoke is when they are on fire."   

I still don't get those local ordinances that ban smoking in a person's private residence either.

[thundley4]

I still don't get those local ordinances that ban smoking in a person's private residence either.

In Illinois , if you run a business out of your home, and it is such that customers come into your house, you are not allowed to smoke in your house.

[Chump]

But I see absolutely no rationale for banning smoking on a public or private golf course.  What's the point?

What say you?

Well, there is no rationale necessary for a private course.  If ownership wants to allow smoking, or not, the decision is entirely up to the owner(s).  The public courses are stickier.  I would argue that "the public" has no business owning a golf course.  But, that doesn't answer the question, so I would offer that the rationale may be cleanliness.  Cigar and cigarette butts all over the place is disgusting and costly to clean up.