WAUSAU — Members of Wausau’s parks and recreation committee on Monday approved a proposal to ban smoking at all city parks and extend nonsmoking on The 400 Block to the connected sidewalks.
The proposal, approved by a 4-1 margin, will now move to the full city council for final approval later this month.
The smoking issue was first discussed by the committee in August but was tabled for a month to allow for additional research and discussion. The committee on Monday reviewed similar policies in cities throughout the Midwest.
Smoking bans in municipal parks have become increasingly widespread among health risks connected to secondhand smoke.
Pat Peckham, Tom Neal, Dave Nutting, and Gary Gisselman all voted in favor of the ban. Joe Gehin cast the sole “no” vote on the measure.
