Port Jefferson Station Residents Mark "World No Tobacco Day"

Every year on May 31st the World Health Organization marks “World No Tobacco Day.” This day is intended to address the tobacco epidemic’s impact on public health and coincides with a wide range of global initiatives.

“Each year in the US more than 480,000 people die from tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke, making it the leading preventable cause of death in this country,” said Paulette Orlando, Tobacco Action Coalition.

The managers and residents at Woodcrest Estates of Port Jefferson Station are experiencing first-hand the benefits of a smoke-free housing policy. That means no smoking of any kind is allowed anywhere on the property grounds, or within the apartments. “We are excited to have a smoke free policy here at Woodcrest Estates,” said Mary Schulze, Property Manager. “By eliminating smoking on our property, the health of all of our residents are protected and improved.”

Many people are unaware that the secondhand smoke entering their apartments from other units is harmful to their health. “My husband and I are so pleased that we will be living in a smoke- free environment. Woodcrest Estates should be praised for this effort. People do not realize that secondhand smoke is just as bad as smoking themselves. The smoke travels from apartment to apartment, I know because I have experienced it. We applaud Woodcrest Estates for following through with this new policy. We also want to praise the office for their part in keeping this ongoing.” said Michelle Framolaro, Woodcrest Resident.

For those who suffer from asthma and other respiratory illnesses, this is even more severe.Despite progress in reducing smoking rates, tobacco use is still the leading cause of preventable death and disease in New York State and the nation. More than 28,000 New Yorkers die every year from smoking-related illnesses.

Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island is an advancing tobacco –free communities grant funded by the New York State Bureau of Tobacco Control administered by the American Lung Association.

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Photo, left to right: Hector Colon, Superintendent and former smoker; Michelle Framolaro, Woodcraft Resident and cancer survivor; Mary Schulze, Woodcrest Property Manager.