Town to Smokers: Butt Out of Our Parks

Smokers will be allowed to light up only in designated areas of the Town of Hempstead's 100 parks and beaches under a proposal announced Wednesday morning.

Joined at Julian Lane Park in Merrick by students from a local school, Town Supervisor Kate Murray said the new "Smoke-Free Parks" legislation would allow residents to visit parks without having to worry about the dangers of secondhand smoke.

"The Town of Hempstead has over 100 parks where people come to these facilities to swim, hike, skate, take a stroll, or watch the kids enjoying our beautiful playgrounds," Murray said. "Restricting smoking at these facilities certainly makes good common sense."  

Approximately 25,000 adults in New York State die from smoking and 21,000 children under the age of 18 will become daily smokers each year, according to Carol Meshkow, of the Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island, who spoke at the press conference as well.  

"Today, reducing tobacco use is in effect and is best for our next generation," Meshkow said. "We couldn't be more pleased and excited of this exceptional news today."  

If the new ordinance is enacted after a public hearing before the Hempstead Town Board Nov. 23, the town would join many other localities who are attempting to keep smokers away from heavily populated areas of parks. 

"There are over 200 statewide municipalities who have enacted this but the Town of Hempstead is the largest in the country, so this is enormous," Meshkow said.

The Environmental Protection Agency has classified secondhand smoke in the same category as harmful substances such as asbestos, radon and benzene. The Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday that it will soon require graphic images to be placed on cigarette packages warning of the dangers of smoking.

Kendall Satcowitz, one of the third graders who accompanied Murray and Meshkow at the podium, is already well aware of those dangers. 

"Smoke-free parks are a good idea because smoking isn't good for the environment," she said, "and it could make kids sick when they breathe it."