Upper St. Clair commissioners Monday night began considering a plan to ban smoking in township parks and playgrounds.

Spurred by a recent request from a resident who said her asthmatic grandson was exposed to cigarette smoke at a neighborhood playground, commissioners debated whether to ban smoking altogether or designate areas where smokers can light up.

"There's no doubt in my mind that smoking around kids or anybody is dangerous," said Commissioner Preston W. Shimer, who supported a designated smoking area for employees outside of the township community and recreation center in Boyce Park.

Several other commissioners, though, expressed concern that such an ordinance would be impossible to enforce and would be a waste of police time.

Resident Debbie Barbarita said she believes residents will self-enforce the ban by asking scofflaws to refrain from smoking around kids.

"I feel it would be a wonderful thing for Upper St. Clair to pass this," she said.

Commissioners tabled action, asking township staff to mold a policy banning smoking except in designated areas.

They are expected to discuss the issue again at a March 29 meeting.

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