Sioux City Times

The City of Sioux City has revised and updated their previous tobacco policy to a new, comprehensive, tobacco and nicotine free policy. This means that the smoking, vaping, or use of any other tobacco/nicotine product not approved by the FDA for cessation, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and all electronic vaping devices are prohibited on city property. City property refers to any city owned building or grounds, including parks, swimming pools, trails, and baseball and soccer fields. Under this policy, tobacco/nicotine is not allowed in any existing huts or enclosed areas and applies to all city employees and citizens. Tobacco/nicotine is only allowed on sidewalks in the public right of way, within the confines of privately owned vehicles, and in parking lots adjacent to public buildings but must be at least 25 feet from any building entrance. There are tobacco/nicotine free stickers, clings, and metal signs throughout city property and buildings notifying the public of these tobacco/nicotine free areas.

Tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. According to the CDC, an estimated 28.3 million U.S. adults smoke cigarettes and about 3.08 million U.S. middle and high school students use at least one tobacco product, including vapes. Nicotine and other toxic chemicals found in vapes are harmful to everyone, but they can be especially harmful to youth as using nicotine at a young age can negatively affect learning, prime the brain for addiction and other drugs, and increase the risk of anxiety and depression. Vaping can also lead to severe lung issues and puts others at risk with secondhand aerosol. Siouxland District Health and Iowa Department of Health and Human Services encourages businesses, schools, and organizations to implement a comprehensive tobacco/nicotine free policy to provide a safe and healthy environment for employees, clients, and visitors and encouraging them to live tobacco and nicotine free.

If you would like more information on this topic, please contact Anais Mares at (712)279-6119 or amares@siouxlanddistricthealth.org.

Original source can be found here.