By LEIGH HORNBECK, Staff writer Tuesday, June 10, 2008
GREENWICH -- The Washington County Board of Directors is following the state fair's lead on smoking and has banned it from the grandstand.
Smoking has long been forbidden in buildings and tents on the fairgrounds. ``The board continued the ban as a courtesy to the public,'' said fair director Mark St. Jacques. ``People are sitting close together and you can't get away from it if someone is smoking next to you or in front of you.'' St. Jacques said the staff will post signs around the grandstand. Smoking is still allowed on the fairgrounds. The Washington County fair week is Aug. 18-24.
In response to the May 28 article, “Board eyes ban on smoking in town spaces,” I would like to highlight how important this issue is. As an avid park visitor, I enjoy being able to take in the outdoors without the annoyance of tobacco. Although I have no children, I would suggest they are the most important reason this smoking ban needs to be enacted. In addition to the health risks from secondhand smoke that everyone should already be aware of, smoking in front of kids is associated with a higher risk of them smoking in their adolescent years. Along with the hazards of public smoking on children, it’s also a fire hazard and unsightly for everyone trying to enjoy the natural beauty of parks. Why all parks aren’t already smokefree should be the real question, and the issue ought to be more focused on when, rather than if, smoking should be banned in our town parks. While Niskayuna is one of the first in the area to take this initiative, I think more communities will follow in the near future. I would urge everyone to be considerate and respect the surroundings of others. We need those who do smoke to lead by example and choose not to smoke where it may be either detrimental or a nuisance to others. NATHAN STAHL Albany The writer is a student at Albany College of Pharmacy.
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer Thursday, June 12, 2008
NISKAYUNA - Parks and ball fields in town will soon be off limits to smoking, making Niskayuna among the first in the Capital Region to have such an extensive ban.
The Town Board voted 4-0 Thursday night to prohibit smoking at virtually all outdoor facilities where sporting events and other leisure activities often draw impressionable young people. Board member Liz Orzel Kasper was absent. The amended local law covers the dozen or so playgrounds, pools, dog and skate parks and hike and bike paths as well as parking lots, concession stands, bleachers and pavilions, Supervisor Joseph Landry said. "Our parks are designed for healthy activities such as walking, running, bicycling, or participating in sporting events, and they should be tobacco free," Landry said before the meeting. "This local law will promote an environment free from the hazards of second hand smoke." He expects the ban will take effect July 1. Freshman Council member Julie McDonnell, who pushed for the measure, said she was inspired by a smoking prohibition at city pools and a children's playground area in Central Park in Schenectady. The Niskayuna measure, which carries fines, is more preventative than punitive since the town didn't have a major problem with smoking to begin with, McDonnell said. Besides the dangers of second-hand smoke to young and old, there is also the influence smoking can have on youngsters and cigarette butt litter, said Jeanie Orr, project coordinator with Capital District Tobacco Free Coalition. Her group will furnish the metal signs that will alert people in Niskayuna lighting up will not be tolerated. The signs will feature a silhouetted figure of a girl on a swing against a green background and the slogan "Young Lungs at Play." The slogan is part of a statewide effort to promote a smoke free environment that Orr says began in Rockland County. And it seems to be catching on. Orr estimated that more than 40 municipalities statewide have some form of a smoking ban within their borders and more are looking to follow suit. In the Capital Region, Scotia, Averill Park and Lansingburgh are a few of the communities Orr said are considering varying degrees of smoking bans. "People go out to outdoor areas to breath fresh air, so it defeats the purpose of someone smoking near you," Orr said.
Smoking inside of a airplane - EVEN CIGARS was OK at one time. I think cigarette smoke has becomelike plutonium- Im surprised there arent more smoking related crimes reported- like the one below
Jun 20, 2008 5:59 am US/Eastern -This PageFBI: Flight Diverted After NYC Woman Lights Up
Passenger Accused Of Punching Attendant In Face, Screaming Racial Epithets DENVER (CBS) ― An unruly JetBlue passenger from Queens who lit up a cigarette mid-flight Tuesday forced the 145-passenger flight to be diverted after she became violent and uncooperative when asked to stop smoking, CBS 2 HD has learned.
Christina Szele, 35, was arrested and charged with assault and interfering with a flight crew, and remains locked up in Denver until a detention hearing scheduled for Monday.
Wouldn't it be great to have ALL smokers on one flight, and they ALL light up. Smokers should have a revolt. There should be one day that ALL smokers nationwide, light up in a place that prohibits smoking. Which is just about everywhere. Wouldn't that be an interesting news alert!!
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil, The Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.
I'll start this by saying "Back in the day", I smoked when I was pregnant for my first. She was born 7lbs 4 oz. 18" long. I smoked for my second and he was born 8lbs 6oz. 23" long. I quit smoking long before I had my 3rd. He was born 8'bs 6oz. 23" long. The first two did not have any medical conditions at all. My third did. Nothing serious, but something the other two (smoking ones) did not experience.
I just thought I would share my little pregnant stories with everyone.
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