Town parks and beaches tobacco-free areas

By DAN HEATH
Staff Writer

May 06, 2008 04:00 am

— 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.
"Policies like this really do make an impact on youth," Derusha said.
It helps show young people that tobacco use is not the norm and can help them make a more informed choice later in life.
SIGN POSTINGS
Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Bernie Bassett said he doesn't believe the policy will lower the number of people who use the parks and beaches.
"This might make our parks and beaches more attractive to the community."
Signs will soon be installed at the parks and beaches to help inform the public about the policy. A notice will also be included in the town's annual recreation brochure and posted on the Town of Plattsburgh Web site.
Enforcement of the regulation is through voluntary compliance. The town's Recreation and Youth Service Department staff will inform youth coaches and others who use the facilities of the policy. Those groups will be responsible for enforcing the policy among their members.
"Hopefully, people will see the message that is being sent and respect it," Bassett said.
dheath@pressrepublican.com

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