Update: Smoke-Free Parks

Finally, a breath of fresh air! On May 23,  2011, Smoke-Free Parks and Beaches become a reality in New York City.

According to the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation website: “Studies suggest that sitting 3 feet away from a smoker outdoors can expose you to the same level of secondhand smoke as if you were sitting indoors with a smoker. Secondhand smoke can trigger asthma attacks, increase the risk of blood clots and hurt blood vessels. The new law will reduce people's exposure to secondhand smoke outdoors.”

The Bay Terrace Community Alliance (BTCA), a neighborhood coalition of concerned citizens committed to preserving our quality of life, is proud to have been the first civic group to call for smoke-free parks in New York City in the fall of 2007.

Prohibiting smoking in parks, beaches and pedestrian plazas does not violate anyone’s rights or freedom. To the contrary, it restores “everyone’s” right to breathe fresh air when using parks or beaches.

Parks, green spaces and beaches are where children, senior citizens and young families go to experience fresh air, a clean, healthy environment and a natural habitat. For many individuals parks and beaches represent an oasis where they can escape and relax for a few hours.  Tobacco smoke is not fresh, not clean, not healthy and definitely not natural.

Opponents of the new regulation often claim that smoke-free parks are an extension of the “nanny state.”  The dictionary defines "nanny" as someone who cares for children and protecting children is a large part of what the new law is about.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 80% of smokers started smoking before the age of 18. Each day in the United States, approximately 3,450 young people between 12 and 17 years of age smoke their first cigarette, and an estimated 850 youth become daily cigarette smokers. It is our responsibility as a society to help role model non-smoking behavior to children and youth and to provide children, youth and their families with a safe, smoke-free environment.

On Monday, May 23, 2011, the Bay Terrace Community Alliance will hold a celebratory press conference to honor the new Smoke-Free Parks Law. The event will take place at 10:00am in Little Bay Park (in front of the roller hockey rink). Everyone who enjoys clean air is urged to join us for this momentous occasion.

Warren Schreiber

President, Bay Terrace Community Alliance, Inc.

Editor's Note: This blog post has been update to reflect more current youth smoking statistics.