The new law states smoking, including the use of e-cigs, is banned…
“…in any public park, or in any site that is both zoned as open space and owned or controlled by the City.”
Anti-smoking advocates praised the council for taking the action. The director of the Tobacco-Free Erie-Niagara organization, Anthony Billoni, said he was “pleased and excited” by the decision, noting that 180 locations throughout Buffalo will be smoke-free now, thus cutting down on secondhand smoke and tobacco-related littering.
Praise for the decision also came from research scientist Mark Travers, who works at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute. He characterizes the use of tobacco as the “single biggest health threat” to young people today, and is delighted that residents will now have a cleaner, safer environment to enjoy.
He adds that cigarette butts are an eyesore, but the smoke itself is far more dangerous. He sees eliminating smoking in the parks as one step toward lessening the threat posed by tobacco use.
Officials behind this sort of campaign often work with a flyer printing company to create a mailer on the issue for area residents.