City council implements “voluntary” tobacco-free policy

City lawmakers are hoping a new policy will create a healthier atmosphere for children at play in local parks and playgrounds.

During a meeting on Monday, city council members voted unanimously to adopt a smoke-free policy for all recreational areas in Niagara Falls.

Signs will soon be posted at all area parks and playgrounds to alert residents and visitors. Compliance with the new measure will be “voluntary” as the policy does not call for any fines or other forms of punishment for offenders.

City officials hope the smoke-free designation alone will draw awareness among adults about the health risks associated with smoking, especially among children and young adults.

“This is really an opportunity for us here at the city to try to make our city healthier and safer for kids,” said Councilman Charles Walker, who pushed for the development and approval of the policy.

Before Monday’s vote, lawmakers heard from representatives from two large anti-smoking organizations who said the policy makes sense for Niagara Falls.

Deborah Pettibone, a representative from the Erie Niagara Tobacco Free Coalition, a group that works to reduce the risk of tobacco-related diseases by advocating for measures aimed at reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, said there are many reasons why tobacco-free parks make sense for Niagara Falls and other communities. Pettibone said the measure will not only promote a healthier community by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke among park goers, but will also promote cleaner recreational areas by eliminating cigarette butts often left behind by smokers.

Pettibone said passing the measure would put Niagara Falls in league with a growing number of communities in Western New York that have adopted similar policies in recent years. To date, she said, 15 communities in Niagara and Erie counties have made such moves and more than 300 municipalities statewide have done so as well. Pettibone said her organization has agreed to donate signs valued at $1,500 apiece that will inform park visitors of the new no-smoking rules.