New York Parks Department Bans Smoking At Playgrounds, Pools

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The state is creating smoke-free areas outdoors at New York state parks and historic sites, including around playgrounds and pools.

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation said Monday the smoke-free zones will be around recreation areas, including beaches and picnic shelters. The agency operates 178 parks and 35 historic sites.

Parks officials say that will protect children and others from the dangers of secondhand smoke and reduce litter from discarded cigarettes.

"It's really a common sense policy," New York State Parks spokesman Dan Keith told 1010 WINS. "Part of our mission is to provide a healthy place for recreation and by creating these smoke-free zones we feel that we are doing so."

The agency is also making six state parks in New York City smoke-free to make them consistent with the ban on smoking in all city-run parks.

Smoking is already prohibited in all buildings at state parks and historic sites under New York's Clean Indoor Air Act.

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