Duluth bans smoking on Lakewalk

The City Council in Duluth has snuffed out smoking at popular tourist spots: the Lakewalk, Lake Place and Leif Erikson Park, banning the use of tobacco – and synthetic marijuana or “bath salts” – within 6 feet of the paths and the park. The measure was prompted by complaints about smoke, littering, and issues with patrons of The Last Place on Earth, a downtown head shop.

Author:: BMTN Staff
Publish date:: Sep 11, 2012

The Duluth City Council has banned smoking at several outdoor locations that are popular with tourists, the Duluth News Tribune reports. The council on Monday passed a resolution banning the use of tobacco in on the Lakewalk, in Lake Place and in Leif Erikson Park.

The ban includes chewing tobacco, Northlands Newscenter reports.

The measure was prompted in part by patrons who pick up products including synthetic marijuana and "bath salts" at a downtown head shop called The Last Place on Earth, focus of a recent federal raid. But owner Jim Carlson supported the ban, and he wondered why it didn't go even further, Northlands Newscenter reported:

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The Duluth City Council is mulling a new ban on all tobacco products and the smoking of products like synthetic marijuana on Duluth’s Lakewalk and adjacent parks, which are breezy, popular spots with locals and tourists alike. The city has fielded complaints about people gathering in Lake Place Park to smoke synthetic products they purchase at the Last Place on Earth, the Superior Street shop under scrutiny from Duluth Police and the city under nuisance rules.

Officers charged in guns drawn and rounded up customers at The Last Place on Earth shop. It was part of a nationwide federal crackdown Wednesday on dealers who peddle what health experts consider the latest illegal drug epidemic: man-made chemicals designed to mimic marijuana, ecstasy and other illegal drugs.

The Last Place on Earth in Duluth and two other synthetic drug retailers say they'll appeal the judge's decision. State lawmakers earlier this year passed a ban on synthetic drugs and their "analogs." The retailers argue the law is vague and incomprehensible to anyone besides experts. The judge who tossed out the suit says the retailers don't have enough evidence to back their claims.