Will New York City Influence Other American Cities to Ban Smoking in City Parks?

With attention swirling around the fact that New York City is considering banning smoking from Central Park, a lot of people around the country are thinking about, and talking about, what their own opinions are regarding the banning of smoking in public parks. With smoking already outlawed inside of many public buildings, is it going too far to also ban smokers from lighting up in outdoor public venues? And if New York City does pass the ban on smoking in Central Park, will other cities around the country begin to follow suit and pass legislature banning smokers from smoking in the public parks located in their communities, as well? What is the likelihood that New York City will pass a ban of smoking in public parks? Let's take a look at why a major American metropolis might want to ban smoking in public parks, and also why other communities around the country might want to do the same.

City parks usually have playgrounds for kids - Let's face it; parks are most often utilized by children, and families with children, who want an appropriate place to climb, run, slide, and swing. For parents who choose not to expose their kids to second-hand cigarette smoke, having someone light up near their kid while playing at a park can be really frustrating. And for kids who suffer from conditions like asthma, or even allergy to cigarette smoke, being unwillingly exposed to a strangers' second-hand cigarette smoke can even be dangerous.

Central Park is unlike most parks in the country, in that it is much, much larger than what most people are accustomed to, in terms of city parks. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to ban smoking from certain areas of the park, such as near playgrounds, or directly outside frequented facilities like ice skating rinks.

People smoking outdoors in public places rarely clean up after themselves - Perhaps if smokers were more considerate about cleaning up after themselves while smoking outdoors in public places, then they might be less likely to be targeted by an entire city government. It's no secret that the vast majority of people who smoke in outdoor locations, simply throw their cigarette butts onto the ground and walk away. Perhaps New York City would like a cleaner outdoor experience for their citizens and visitors.

Whether New York City ultimately passes a ban on smoking in public parks or not, the news has got people thinking and talking. Additionally, the fact that they are even considering such a ban likely has other communities around the country thinking about doing the same.