PLATTSBURGH -- The Town of Plattsburgh introduced a tobacco-free policy for its parks and beaches Monday.

The regulation says no one can use "any form of tobacco at or on any town-owned or -operated recreational facility, including all areas of park grounds, such as playground areas, spectator areas, athletic fields, park buildings and all beach areas."

The policy, which covers the town's 10 recreation parks and two beaches, grew from a presentation to the Town Council by members of the Adirondack Tobacco Free Network.

FIRST IN COUNTY

Karen Derusha, a tobacco-control specialist with the network, said Plattsburgh is the first town in Clinton County to adopt such a policy for its beaches and parks. She said 28 municipalities and counties in the state of New York have adopted tobacco-free policies for parks, pools, beaches and picnic areas.

Derusha said a beach in Ticonderoga went tobacco free last year, and she has been asked to make a presentation to the Black Brook Town Council.

Melanie Defayette, director of the Town of Plattsburgh Recreation and Youth Service Department, said she strongly supports the message, which can only help the parks and beaches be a place for people to pursue healthy activities.

She said the move was made easier because CVPH Medical Center and a number of businesses have gone tobacco free in recent years.

"I think that's kind of broken the glass," Defayette said.

INCENTIVES FOR CHANGE

The Town Council adopted the regulation for three reasons.

First, tobacco use near children and adults can be harmful to their health.

While it is harder to quantify the effects of second-hand smoke in an outdoor environment, Derusha said, studies are being done on the issue. She provided information showing the U.S. surgeon general has determined there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke.

Secondly, tobacco products are often discarded improperly, which contributes to litter issues and possible ingestion by toddlers. In 2004, the American Poison Control Centers received nearly 8,000 reports of children poisoned through cigarette-butt ingestion.

Third, parents, coaches, officials and volunteers are often role models, whose use of tobacco could have a negative impact on youth.