Troy Residents Debate over Smoking Ban

At present there is a lot of talk regarding Ordinance №1 on the city Council agenda as followers of the law declare it will protect public health while antagonists worry it’s officials are overreaching.

While the regulation would prohibit smoking at the city’s sport fields, playgrounds and swimming pools would still be allowed. The main aim of the law, passed by Councilwoman Nina Nichols, is to decrease the exposure young people have to secondhand smoke. However a great number of studies led on secondhand smoke demonstrate it doesn’t guarantee any health benefit. The legislation is aiming at where teenagers gather, according to points made at a current meeting, to not only restrict their exposure to secondhand smoke but also because teens tend to take off adult behavior, including smoking.

In parks, though, particular citizens think it is mostly the common sense of the smoker that comes into effect. Paul Banks, who lives on Polk Street and a former smoker, stated he doesn’t like the idea of intruding on people’s freedom and added that the majority of adults will know better not light up around kids.

“Probably it would be better to make some special places at the sports fields where smokers will be able to light up,” Banks stated. Joana Pabon, who has three children says that she supposes that people have the right to choose where they want to light up, unless it is in a closed area. She also added that haven’t seen many people smoking in parks.

“I do not believe that a lot of people light up at parks. I think that government officials should pay attention at some other things, as at present there are more essential issues than this one,” Pabon said.

“Prohibiting some of the outdoor places is rather ridiculous. As about me, I do not smoke in my home in order to protect my children from secondhand smoke,” said Brian, a resident of Ninth Street. For instance, Dave Grimm former resident of Troy, declared that he is not against the idea of eradicating secondhand smoke for children but added that there are a lot of things that are hazardous. “I do not like too loud music and that affects my hearing. That is a health issue,” Grimm concluded.