John T. McDonald III:
We need to educate the public about smoking

Monday, June 7, 2010
Opinion
The Record

The Cohoes Common Council unanimously supported the passing of a resolution of support to encourage smoke free playgrounds and parks this past week. Their support of this effort is appreciative, albeit it did come with some controversy.

The issue was not whether the city wanted to support the effort to encourage people to refrain from smoking at parks or playgrounds, it was more about how to go about it. One council member had felt that the city should take the heavy handed approach by legislating through our city code not only the concept, but also to associate fines with the effort. Whereas it is admirable to support the effort, it was the feeling of the majority of the Common Council and I that a different approach was preferred and I feel it is important to share why.

As a health-care professional, I have witnessed first hand those who struggle with addiction and dependency, on many levels. Time after time I have found that an approach based on education and support pays greater dividends than an approach centered on force and persuasion. The approach approved by the Common Council, focused on postage of signs encouraging smoke free areas, is one that will help better educate and support the concept of tobacco-free parks and playgrounds.

Additionally, society as a whole is growing weary of being dictated on certain measures. The reality here in Cohoes, and I can attest to this as I attend my fair share of sporting events and visits to the playgrounds, is that Cohoes residents as a whole are keenly aware of the impacts of second hand smoke on others, whether adult or child.

I can honestly say that whether it is Little League, soccer or just hanging out at the playgrounds, if an adult feels the desire to smoke, they walk a far distance away to enjoy their smoke to lessen the impact to others. To enforce this legislative effort with fines I find to be insulting to our residents and if anything, will lead to confrontation.

On the other hand, some will critique the presence of cigarette butts in certain areas. That is littering and we have laws on the books to address that issue. How and when that littering occurs remains to be identified but my feeling is that it happens mostly in the later part of the day or early part of the morning when an adult is walking their dog and taking their recreational smoke or when teenagers might be hanging out in the park after hours. Now we can debate whether the teenagers should be hanging out or not, but the impression that smokers are standing near a swing-set puffing away in our children’s faces is just not true.

I have faith in our community that together, smokers and non-smokers, we can spread the word and educate the public even more now that we discourage smoking in and our around our playgrounds. At the same time, I appreciate the full support of the Common Council in this effort and the fact that we do not have to go to the greatest length at this time to get that message across.

John T. McDonald III is mayor of the city of Cohoes.