MONTGOMERY: Board backs modified smoking ban for parks

By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
   MONTGOMERY — It appears Montgomery is closer to cracking down on smoking within public parks after the Board of Health gave its support on Feb. 13 to move forward with an amended smoke-free ordinance.
   A handful of residents watched as the board passed a resolution with a 7-1 vote, supporting smoke-free zones in all public parks in confined areas where children might be present. This could include playgrounds, concession stands or sports events. The idea is that this law would be tacked onto an already existing ordinance that bans smoking in and on municipal properties and school campuses.
   ”This is something we can do to show we care about kids in our community,” said Stephanie Carey, the health officer.
   The decision reflects the absence of board member Dr. Maryann Couch and the vote of alternate Neelan Davis, who raised her hand in support while sitting in the audience.
   Technically, it is within the Board of Health’s authority to enact an ordinance without the Township Committee, but health officials would bear the sole responsibility of enforcement. Instead, health officials chose to leave the ultimate decision up to the committee, which would make the ordinance enforceable by police in addition to the health staff if adopted.
   The smoke-free zone idea is slightly different than the original idea of banning smoking altogether, which came up last month at the request of local, county and state health officials.
   The consensus was in favor of promoting a healthier environment by preventing scattered cigarette butts and second-hand smoke, but lone dissenter Dr. Greg Kaganowicz thought the amendment was too vague. Although the zones would be limited to children-oriented areas, Dr. Kaganowicz thought the ambiguous language could be used as a loophole to encompass the entire park.
   ”I can’t support such a resolution because it’s too broad,” he added. He also thought smoke bans would not only be ineffective, but would infringe on the rights of taxpayers who also helped establish the parks.
   ”The next step is police and social services taking kids away,” he added. “This is imposing the will of the majority on the minority.”
   To him, the key was anti-smoking education — not prohibition or signs, which he thought would be ineffective and only create sign pollution.
   Board President William Bucci, who described smoking as “disgusting,” voted in favor, but also considered things from the vantage point of a smoker.
   ”Their tax dollars pay for those parks too,” he noted. “If you can’t smoke outside where it dissipates quickly, where can you smoke?”
   Board member Mona Patel thought only good could result from creating smoke-free zones in the parks.
   The board’s decision only received support from the few members of the public that attended. Belle Mead resident Ben Strong was there as a citizen as well as the partnerships coordinator for the Somerset County Department of Health.
   ”I use the parks and not to see cigarette butts on the ground is a good thing,” he said.
   Gail Ernst, an employee of Tobacco Control within the state Department of Health, echoed Mr. Strong’s sentiments.
   ”I can’t stress enough how important it is to de-normalize smoking and influence social norms as much as we can,” said the Montgomery resident. “I would be a proud citizen of Montgomery if we stepped forward and took a leadership role.”