It's illegal for a business to sell tobacco products to a minor but it's not illegal for minors to use tobacco products on public property.

The Sharon City Police Department is hoping to change that.

Capt. Michael Menster asked city council Thursday to consider adopting an ordinance that would prohibit minors from using tobacco on public property within the city.

Police receive numerous complaints about young people congregating in large groups -- especially around the high school -- to smoke, Menster said. There have also been complaints about students smoking on the Shenango Valley shuttle buses, he said.

Menster said other problems that result from large groups of youths, such as fighting, may also decrease.

When police are called, there's not much they can do except break up the group of kids, Menster said.

Though it will be up to city solicitor William Madden and Police Chief Thomas Burke to come up with the language of the ordinance and the punishment, Menster said youths caught smoking will probably be issued a citation, their parents notified and possibly fined.

"I think it's a great idea," Councilman Lou Rotunno said. He said he's seen some kids smoking cigarettes who don't look any older than 10 or 11.

"I see nothing wrong with passing an ordinance like that, nothing at all," Councilwoman Chris Outrakis said.

At least one resident does see something wrong with it.

Carol Swartz said kids aren't allowed to do anything in the city, including ride their bikes or skateboards. She said while she respects the police, they have more important things to do than cite juveniles for smoking.

"It's just not fair," Mrs. Swartz said. "Will you leave these kids alone?"

All of the rules are scaring the kids away, and they're going to want to leave the city when they grow up, she said.

Mrs. Swartz said she thinks it should be up to the parents whether to let their kids smoke, not council.

"It's all about health. That's the most important thing," Councilwoman Outrakis said.

Councilman Raymond Fabian echoed Mrs. Outrakis' sentiments. He said people don't start to smoke when they're 25 but rather in their teens or at college or in the military.

Councilman George Gulla asked if the city could face problems from parents who allow their children to smoke.

Madden said if the ordinance covers just public property there shouldn't be a problem.

Sharon police are involved in a crackdown with the state Department of Health and the Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission to identify and charge city businesses that sell tobacco products to minors.

kgarrett@sharon-herald.com