Sedgwick County Zoo bans smoking, vaping
If visitors to the Sedgwick County Zoo want to light up a smoke or vape up, they’ll have to do it in the parking lot from now on.
On Friday, the zoo announced that it is joining other outdoor Wichita attractions like the Old Cowtown Museum and the new baseball stadium in banning smoking.
“The Sedgwick County Zoo is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for guests, employees, and animals,” zoo spokeswoman Jennica King announced in a written statement Friday. “To that end, the Zoo will prohibit smoking and vaping within the Zoo during normal hours of operation, beginning Sunday, March 1.”
Until now, smokers could fire up cigarettes, cigars or pipes in three designated smoking areas around the grounds. But the zoo has gotten complaints and “listened to a lot of people who were concerned about walking through smoky areas,” King said.
Most zoos and outdoor aquariums nationwide have already banned smoking, she said.
King said the smoking areas were considered a transitional stage moving toward a full ban. “It’s been something that’s always been on the table for discussion,” she said.
The decision was made on Tuesday by the Sedgwick County Zoological Society Board, which oversees operations at the county-owned facility. The ban did not go before the County Commission.
Use of tobacco products will still be allowed on a case-by-case basis at adults-only special events after hours on zoo grounds.
That includes the annual Zoobilee fundraiser, which features alcoholic beverages and a popular “Cigar Lounge” sponsored by The Humidor, a local cigar shop business.
Smoking also may be allowed when outside groups rent space at the zoo for private parties and weddings. Those exceptions will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the zoo management, King said.
During regular hours, “Smoking and vaping will be allowed in the Zoo parking lot, so guests will be allowed to exit the Zoo and re-enter as many times as necessary during their visit,” King said. “Reentry will be granted by showing proof of admission in the form of a receipt or (hand) stamp.”
This story was originally published February 28, 2020 at 11:06 AM.
