Youth smoking ban approved

SULTAN — Lighting up in this town is now something that can land young people in juvenile court.

The City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved an ordinance that makes smoking by youths a misdemeanor.

If those under 18 years old use or possess tobacco, they and their parents may have to pay a $50 fine for the first offence, $150 for the second violation within 12 months, and $250 for each additional violation.

Violators will be allowed to do community service or pay a fine, or a combination of both, Police Chief Fred Walser said. They also must attend a three-hour program designed to curb tobacco use.

The ordinance is strict, Walser said, but unlike state law, it doesn’t include jail time for violators.

"It’s more of an educational program than being punitive," he said.

Mayor Ben Tolson said many young people start smoking in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. He said he hopes the ordinance will change the tide.

"Most young people make their decisions based on peer pressure," Tolson said. "This law would help them to think twice and maybe reconsider."

The Snohomish Health District has selected Sultan and Monroe to launch pilot programs for a countywide effort to reduce tobacco use by young people, said Eloise Gray of the health district.

A health district survey in 2002 found that about 8 percent of eighth-graders, about 20 percent of 10th-graders and more than 25 percent of high school seniors said they had smoked cigarettes within the past 30 days.

The health district will evaluate the pilot programs in 2005, Gray said.

"If it works here, the county wants to take it to the whole county," Walser said.

Monroe is planning a similar ordinance, Mayor Donnetta Walser said. "I think it’s a good idea," she said.

The health district is also looking for volunteers for its tobacco prevention task force, Gray said. Those who are interested may contact her at 425-339-8657.

Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.