As used in this article the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
PARK OR RECREATION AREA
Any outdoor area owned or operated by the City of Meriden
and open to the general public for primary recreational purposes,
regardless of any fee or age requirement, including but not limited
to picnic areas, playgrounds, sports or athletic fields, bleachers,
walking paths, gardens, hiking trails, bike paths and dog parks. A
park or recreational area shall not include any paved public sidewalk
immediately abutting the boundary of the park or recreational area.
This article shall not apply to the Hunter Golf Course.
SMOKING
Inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated
cigar, cigarette, or pipe, or any other lighted or heated tobacco
or plant product intended for inhalation, including hookahs and marijuana,
whether natural or synthetic, in any manner or in any form. "Smoking"
also includes the use of an electronic smoking device which creates
an aerosol or vapor, in any manner or in any form.
TOBACCO PRODUCT
A.
Any product containing, made, or derived from tobacco or nicotine
that is intended for human consumption, whether smoked, heated, chewed,
dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means,
including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, little cigars,
chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, snuff, snus; and
B.
Any electronic device that delivers nicotine or other substances
to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited
to, an electronic cigarette, cigar, pipe, or hookah.
C.
Notwithstanding any provision of Subsections
A and
B to the contrary, "tobacco product" includes any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product, whether or not sold separately.
No person shall smoke or use any tobacco product in any City-owned
park or recreation area.
Every park or recreation area shall have at least one conspicuously
displayed sign stating that smoking and the use of tobacco products
are prohibited. Such signs must have appropriate text and/or graphics
to clearly indicate that smoking and the use of tobacco products are
prohibited and include the appropriate City of Meriden ordinance citation.
Such signs shall be posted in a quantity and manner reasonably likely
to inform individuals occupying the area that tobacco use is prohibited
within the area.
With the written permission of the Director of Parks and Recreation,
a designated smoking/tobacco use area may be identified within the
park or recreation area for large events. A person smoking or using
tobacco products in the designated area during a large event shall
not be subject to a penalty.
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by citation.
The following persons have authority to issue citations for violations
pursuant to this chapter: City of Meriden Police Officer.
A warning shall be issued for a first offense. The citation
amount for a second offense shall be $25. The citation amount for
a third offense shall be $50. The citation amount for the fourth or
more offenses shall be $99. Such citation shall be on a form as prescribed
by the City of Meriden.