Smoke-Free Parks in NYC

Tobacco-Free Park Resolution

The Bay Terrace Community Alliance calls on the City of New York to adopt the following resolution to create tobacco-free zones at local parks.

WHEREAS, smoking is responsible for the premature deaths of over 430,000 Americans each year from lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory illness and other diseases; and

WHEREAS, secondhand smoke is responsible for over 50,000 deaths among nonsmokers each year; and

WHEREAS, tobacco kills more Americans each year than alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroin, homicide, suicide, accidents, fires, and AIDS combined; and

WHEREAS, almost 90\% of smokers started smoking before the age of 20, and the average initiation age is 14 1⁄2 years old; and

WHEREAS, 3,000 youth become regular smokers each day and one-third of these children will die prematurely from tobacco related illnesses; and

WHEREAS, to help role model non-smoking behavior to children and youth and to provide children, youth and their families with a safe, smoke-free environment; and

WHEREAS, discarded cigarette butts may also be harmful to birds and other wildlife that nibble on or even swallow them, especially on a beach or park. Indeed, one of the first domestic bans on outdoor smoking was enacted to protect wildlife rather than human beings. In addition, discarded cigarette butts are a risk to infants and toddlers who often pick things up off the ground and put them in their mouths; and

WHEREAS, smoke-free parks are a growing national trend. Local venues have passed smoke-free park policies in states such as California, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Minnesota and Michigan. In addition, major cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Oakland have enacted legislation making their entire parklands smoke-free.

THEREFORE, the City of New York, State of New York resolves as follows: 

That all parks in the City of New York be designated as tobacco free zones. Appropriate signage will be posted in all city parks, designating them as tobacco-free zones. 

The City Council shall certify to the adoption of the resolution. This resolution will become effective on (Month, Day, Year)

2007 Bay Terrace Community Alliance, Inc.