The recently released NY1-Marist poll showing that the vast majority of city residents approve of the new smoke free parks and beaches law is welcome news.
Secondhand smoke is not just a nuisance; it’s deadly. The U.S. Surgeon General has declared that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke worsens asthma conditions and has been linked to being a significant cause of early childhood asthma. The State Department of Health reports that secondhand smoke kills 2,500 New Yorkers each year.
With all that we know about secondhand smoke, not only should more municipalities in the state be adopting outdoor smoke free policies, state government should take action to make all state parks and beaches smoke free.
Park visitors and beachgoers shouldn’t be forced to breathe in toxic secondhand smoke that can make them sick while trying to enjoy the state’s outdoor public recreation areas.
Irwin Berlin, M.D.
Board Chair, American Lung Association in New York
