Smoking Ban in parks...who's interested?

[Drewsmom]

I saw a thread in another forum related to this and it's something that I've been thinking about a lot lately.

First off, who all of you would support (an informal poll) legislative action in your state prohibiting smoking or discarding of cigarettes or smoke related products in parks or tot lots?

California passed a law (AB 188) see http://ncth.confex.com/ncth/responses/2002/254.doc
for a full description of the law, which addresses exactly this issue.

How many times have I picked a cigarette butt out of my toddler's hands and almost mouth? Now that I'm pregnant and especially with my toddler I don't want to even be around second hand smoke at all, let alone in a park of all places.

I would like to start the ball rolling (or see if it has been tried before) for my VERY pro-cigarette company state of Virginia. I just started the research today for it and am compiling letters for my rep.s and state senators. I'm finding out that there are many actions leagues out there to contact as well.

Has anyone dealt with this in their state? Any suggestions? Anyone else want to join in VA? Why not try your state? I think it's a very worthy cause.

[Dragonfly]

Hey Drewsmom!

I'm in Northern Virginia, too, and would be SO happy to jump on board with this as soon as I finish with exams (in just a few weeks)! I'd also like to work for stiffer legislation on smoking outside the entrances of buildings and better enforcement of litter laws (i.e. smokers throwing their cigarette butts out of windows, etc.)....

PM me if you'd like

[AnnaReilly]

Originally posted by Dragonfly
I'd also like to work for stiffer legislation on smoking outside the entrances of buildings...

I TOTALLY agree! Nothing aggravates me more than having to walk through a blue cloud to get into a building, especially the hospital (of all places!).

The cigarette butt issue really grosses me out too. For some reason people who ordinarily wouldn't litter seem to have no problem pitching butts out on the ground.

[Dragonfly]

Originally posted by AnnaReilly
The cigarette butt issue really grosses me out too. For some reason people who ordinarily wouldn't litter seem to have no problem pitching butts out on the ground.

No kidding I must see 20-30 people a day pitching those things out of car windows. If I were a cop writing tickets, that would be a whole lot of income for the police force!

[Drewsmom]

Dragonfly, I love your signature quote by the way. Great! I would love all the help I can get. I completely agree with cigarette butt litering and smoking in or around public buildings. I believe CA law includes (which is more inclusive than just AB 188) no smoking within 50 ft of a public buildings as well and I would like to include that. If I could help enact legislation for no litering of butts anywhere that would be great but I'll tackle just the parks initially and possibly public buildings. I hate eating in a restaurant that has a smoking section, it irks me so bad...it's like flying on an airplane with people who are smoking, you can't truly get away from it.

We are actually moving into our new townhouse this next week so things will be crazy here as well. I'll pm you as soon as I know our new phone#/information. Thanks and thanks for all the other comments. It would be great to have it be a federal law but that's probably on the bottom of their lists right now so we'll start with the state (although with VA it might be more feasible going the federal route as well : but we'll try!!)