Tivoli, New York - smoke-free experience in Memorial Recreation Park..

December 26, 2010 - Tivoli is a village in Northern Dutchess County, New York - Memorial Recreation Park has become a smoke-free experience. Village officials have banned the use of tobacco products throughout the park, including at the ball field and in the pavilion.

“Kids should not be playing and inhaling cigarette smoke,” said Village Board member Bryan Cranna, who sponsored the resolution instituting the ban. “We’re hoping this is going to be a step toward creating a healthier and cleaner play environment for the kids.” Cranna said he began pushing for the smoking ban after he and two other board members celebrated Earth Day by cleaning up litter in the park. Cranna said the group SmokeFree Dutchess provided the village with information needed to draft the ban along with the “No Smoking” signs that have been placed throughout the park.

Ellen Reinhard, director of SmokeFree Dutchess, commended Tivoli officials for “joining the growing list of municipalities across New York state who have adopted polices and ordinances in support of tobacco-free parks and playgrounds. This policy will help denormalize tobacco use, which encourages adults to quit smoking and prevents youths from ever starting,” she said.

In May, town of Hyde Park officials banned smoking at two town parks, and earlier this month, the town of Poughkeepsie banned smoking at its 22 town parks and playgrounds. Ulster County has banned smoking on all county-owned and operated properties. Smoking also is prohibited on all city of Kingston municipal properties, including parks, and the town of Ulster is considering a ban on smoking at town parks and playgrounds. Town snuffs smoking at parks, playgrounds)

Reference: Smoking banned in village of Tivoli park by PATRICIA DOXSEY, Daily Freeman (Serving the Hudson Valley since 1871), 12/25/2010.
(Hudson Valley)