Memo- Youth Smoking at School Bus Stops•
Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Steven C. Mielke, City Manager
Date: June 5, 1998
Subject: Youth Smoking at School Bus Stops
Office of the City Manager
During deliberation of the tobacco ordinance, the topic of youth smoking at bus stops
was discussed with a directive that staff bring this topic back to the Council for further
discussion.
Since that directive was given, the City Manager's office has had a variety of
discussions with the Police Department, School District 270 officials, and surrounding
officials.
Since this issue was raised, the Police Department has been more proactive in stopping
and removing cigarettes from youth, and in some cases citing youth for the violation.
The amount of time available and the level of activity going on at the time temper this
activity, but it has increased since the Council's discussion. In the past, the court
systems have been reluctant to deal with this level of offence, and staff is looking to see
whether or not the courts have become more proactive in enforcing these violations.
The School District has also looked at their policies and have determined that their
smoking policies would apply to school bus stops, and have indicated a willingness to
become more proactive if the city wishes to involve the schools in this issue. Some
ideas have included writing letters to parents, utilizing social workers to assist in
educational and corrective actions, and other similar kinds of discussions. Discussions
with other cities have indicated that this issue has not been a priority, and may not be
one, in comparison to other issues of the day.
The Police Department has been proactive in the entertainment complex area by
stopping and addressing loitering, smoking, skateboarding, etc. There has also been
little effort to educate families or to inform them of these violations, except when
citations are given. Informing parents may be one of the best ways to instill a change in
behavior if, in fact, the parents are unaware of their child's activities in smoking.
Staff looks forward to discussing this topic with the Council to receive further direction, if
any.
mayorccyouthsmoke