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Smoke-free Parks
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As of January 1, 2003, children and their families
will have a 25-foot safe zone around playgrounds and toddler
sandbox areas by state law. Kids should be able to play without
being directly exposed to the harmful effects of secondhand
smoke. It's common sense to protect children where they play
and socialize.
- The reasons for protecting people, especially children, from
secondhand smoke are convincing and overwhelming. Scientific evidence
proves that exposure to secondhand smoke poses a serious health
risk and there is no safe level of exposure. It is not only dangerous
- it can also be deadly - especially for children and adults with
asthma or other chronic illnesses.
- Studies have shown that adult smoking behavior significantly
influences youth smoking behavior. When Children see adults smoking
in a family friendly place, they see the behavior as acceptable.
- A critical component in addressing youth smoking is to create
an environment in which tobacco use is not consider the norm in
adult society. Every day in California, nearly 300 children begin
smoking. Of those, 200 will go on to become addicted smokers.
Half of those children will die prematurely of smoking-related
diseases.
- Cigarette butts are hazardous to children, animals and the environment.
Smokers regularly discard their cigarette butts and empty packages
on the ground. Small children are at risk of swallowing, choking,
or burning themselves with discarded butts.
- Cigarette butts are the most common litter in our parks and
the clean up is time consuming and costly to taxpayers
OUR PARKS ARE ABOUT CLEAN AIR, NATURAL BEAUTY AND
ENGAGING IN HEALTHY ACTIVITIES
SMOKING JUST DOESN'T FIT IN
Breath, The California Smoke-free Bars,
Workplaces and Communities Program Funded by Prop. 99 grants
The Center for Tobacco Policy and Organizing
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