Groups Calling For Smoke-Free Park Areas
A coalition of community groups announced a new program on Wednesday to reduce health and safety problems related to cigarette smoking at the city’s parks and beaches.
Plans call for the creation of smoke-free zones at playgrounds, sports fields and beaches. Also being prepared are no-smoking signs and educational brochures to publicize the program.
“Children and their families should be able to play sports, eat in picnic areas and play in sandboxes, free of cigarette butts and smoke,” said Pat Etem, executive director of the Los Angeles Regional Tobacco Control Community Linkage Project.
Etem said the group is particularly concerned about the cancer-causing effects of secondhand smoke and the health risks to small children of picking up and playing with cigarette butts.
The effort is supported by a coalition of groups, including the City of Long Beach Tobacco Education Program, youth organizations and the office of Long Beach City Councilwoman Jenny Oropeza.
The coalition is planning to unveil the program Oct. 14 at Drake Park in Long Beach. A Halloween festival, bike rally and a health fair, in which youngsters will learn about the harmful effects of smoking, will be featured.
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