Council votes against smoking ban

The Record
Published: Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Danielle Sanzone

COHOES — There will not be any city ordinances banning smoking in public parks and playgrounds any time soon, but the Common Council has decided to initiate an anti-tobacco campaign in these public areas instead.

The Capital District Tobacco-Free Coalition will donate two signs for each park or playground in the city for this purpose which is meant to educate the public.

A proposal had been introduced two weeks ago by Councilman Ralph Signoracci, D-Ward 6, to ban smoking and authorize punishment for any offenders mainly in areas with a high number of children, like parks and playgrounds.

When this was reviewed by the entire six-body board and the mayor, however, the majority felt that such a rule would be too strict and could possibly instigate further tobacco use in rebellion.

Furthermore, most officials felt that there was no issue to address since most residents have not complained about any problems with their children being in a cloud of smoke in parks.

“I am opposed to more heavy government. There is enough of that going around and we do not need to add to it. I’d like to start with education instead,” insisted Fred Turcotte, D-Ward 2.

He added that he deals with the butts on the sidewalk in front of his store daily, but that his constituents had not approached him about this being an issue.

Aside from the second-hand smoking and the bad influence of seeing adults smoke cigarettes, Signoracci said that the butts littered in the parks was another problem.

“Children are the primary focus of this. And I am all for education, but it is one thing to have a sign and it would be good to also have a way to back that sign up with enforcement,” said Signoracci who had also been approached by some in his Ward that did not feel comfortable going to the local parks because of the heavy amount of smokers.

When going around the city, Mayor John McDonald said he noted the number of cigarette butts in each park ranging from one butt at George Street to 50 at a park on VanSchaick Island.

“I do not think the people want us to make more laws and this is not a pressing issue from what I have seen,” said McDonald.

As a compromise, the city plans to educate the city employees on smoking etiquette and will put up signs in the public parks or playgrounds.

There was one resident in favor of the proposal and one against it at the meeting.

“I think it is a good idea to ban smoking in the parks and on the sidewalks,” said Gwen LaSalva.

The city will also reexamine a law from 1990 which pertains to city employees and states that they may smoke in a city vehicle if others in the vehicle allow it. Officials plan to delete this.

The interest in tobacco-free education goes back to at least a year ago, said McDonald.

Following Tuesday’s workshop on this issue, city officials will vote on a resolution of support for education at their next meeting later this month.