Manchester, NH Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 96.06(H)
- Applies to
- 6 named parks only
- Covers
- Tobacco, vape, e-cigarettes
- Gill Stadium
- Separate ban, § 96.06.1
Summary
Manchester bans smoking tobacco or vape products in city parks unless a spot is specifically designated for it, but only six named parks currently enforce the rule.
Smoke any tobacco, tobacco-related product, filter or other plant or weed except in such areas as are specifically designated for smoking by the Public Works Director, or his or her designee, subject to the provisions of state law. For the purposes of this section, TOBACCO-RELATED PRODUCT means any product containing tobacco or nicotine, including but not limited to cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, bidis, snus, dissolvable tobacco products, and electronic cigarettes; provided, however, that such term shall not include any product that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a tobacco cessation product. This section shall only apply to the Stanton Plaza, Victory, Veterans, Pulaski, Kalivas and Bronstein Parks.
(I) Hang items. Hang items, including but not limited to clothes, textiles, tarps, bags, or ropes, from any tree, fence, lamp, post, or structure in any city park.
(J) Syringe service programs. Conduct a syringe service program, needle exchange program, or any similar program related to the exchange of devices used for injecting drugs in any city park.
(K) Shopping carts. Bring in, use, or otherwise possess any shopping cart in any city park.
(L) Bicycles. Bring in, use, or otherwise possess more than one bicycle at a time in any city park. ('71 Code, § 17½-19) (Ord. passed 2-16-71; Am. Ord. passed 11-19-85; Am. Ord. passed 10-4-88; Am. Ord. passed 11-28-00; Am. Ord. passed 3-16-10; Am. Ord.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-25: current through Ord. passed 6-3-2025).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 96.06(H) makes it a park violation to smoke any tobacco, tobacco-related product, or other plant/weed except in areas the Public Works Director designates for smoking. The definition sweeps in cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snus, and electronic cigarettes, though FDA-approved cessation products are excluded. Notably, the section text limits its own reach: it applies only to Stanton Plaza, Victory, Veterans, Pulaski, Kalivas, and Bronstein Parks, not every city park. A separate rule, § 96.06.1, bans smoking anywhere inside the fenced perimeter of Gill Stadium during events, with exceptions only for Public Works Director-designated areas reviewed by the Health Department.
Violations & Fines
Violating either park smoking section is enforced through the general penalty provision, City Code § 10.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is smoking banned in all Manchester parks?
Are vapes and e-cigarettes covered?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manchester
Compare Manchester to another location·View the New Hampshire public conduct overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.