Township Pursues Anti-Smoking Initiatives

Springfield’s government is looking to help some smokers kick the habit, and asking others to take their habit elsewhere.

Springfield’s Township Committee voted this week to ban smoking from the Township’s public swimming pool. Smokers will be asked to enjoy their soggy butts in a designated smoker’s area off the pool grounds. The ordinance over the matter, which was first read at the May 10 Committee meeting, passed unanimously.

In a separate ordinance, Springfield accepted grant money from the American Cancer Society.

Committee members Richard Huber and Jerry Fernandez briefly acknowledged they are former smokers during discussion on the vote. The Committee members weren’t certain how many municipal employees smoked, but argued the grant was welcome in any event.

“Even one is too many,” Committee member Marc Krauss said.