WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Taking Smoking Bans a Step Further

Taking Smoking Bans a Step Further

Rutland Town, Vermont - May 24, 2004

Plenty of cheering came from parents at Northwood Park Monday night during a Mighty Mite baseball game. First through third graders were up at bat.

It's a family friendly park and the rules are clearly posted: no booze, no littering, no trespassing after dark and now no smoking.

"The ban has already taken effect," says Chad Ummel of the Rutland Town Recreation Dept.

Ummel is in charge of keeping Rutland Town parks clean.

Right now, he's getting the Northwood pool open for the season. He says the smoking ban at town parks will make his job easier. But more importantly, it will promote healthier lifestyles.

"We'll have less litter, reduce the risk of accidental fire," explains Ummel. "But the primary reason is simply to send a message: healthy lifestyles, athletics and well-being to the youth of tomorrow."

The smoking ban at parks in Rutland Town sets a precedent. No other Vermont towns have ever passed outdoor smoking prohibitions.

Sarah DeCandio frequents Northwood Park watching her kids play. She favors the smoking ban: "Nobody wants to set a bad example for the kids at a baseball game. It's really not socially acceptable at a function like this."

But others, like park goer Anne Coughlin, say banning outdoor smoking doesn't make sense. "Restaurants, bars, wherever people have to sit there, I don't blame them, and I don't like to smoke around other people who don't smoke. But out in the park- an open park- I think it's ridiculous."

The smoking ban is not a criminal ordinance, so park goers caught lighting up will simply be asked to put their cigarette out, or leave the park immediately.

The Vermont Health Department favors the idea of banning smoking in public parks-- and hopes other municipalities will follow suit. The other park effected in Rutland Town is Dewey Park.

Darren Perron - Channel 3 News