Vero Beach playgrounds now tobacco-free

The city-owned playgrounds will be tobacco-free zones as a result of a resolution passed by the City Council on Tuesday.

The Council in a 5-0 vote Tuesday approved the resolution that will also allow for signs notifying the public of the ban to be installed at these areas..

The resolution does not carry any penalties, but Mary Burkins of the Substance Abuse Council, said at an advisory board meeting earlier that most people will self-enforce the policy once signs are installed. The Department of Health provides such signs free. Breathe Free Indian River County will purchase 10 cigarette-butt receptacles to be placed at designated city locations.