Glens Falls Post Star Published on 11/30/2007
By ALYSON MARTIN
amartin@poststar.com
Local businesses and organizations were honored Thursday night at the Queensbury Hotel for their commitment to battling the smoking industry.
The Fourth Annual Community Recognition Ceremony, hosted by the Southern Adirondack Tobacco Free Coalition (SATFC), brought together 35 businesses, organizations, schools and individuals who have taken steps to promote community health and reduce the harm caused by tobacco use.
"Each year we have more groups, so there’s a lot of momentum in the public," said Janine Stuchin, project manager for SAFTC. "I think the public firmly understands that the tobacco industry is making money off of disease and death."
Six Flags Great Escape was one of the honorees.
The park was one of seven to create policies for tobacco-free grounds.
Mike Wood, promotions manager for Six Flags Great Escape, said the policy went into effect in 2006.
"It’s to promote a more family-friendly atmosphere, so families could walk around without worrying that their children would walk through a puff of smoke," Wood said.
There are five designated smoking areas within the park, but they’re not in the most crowded areas, Wood said.
"The main grounds of the park, where the most traffic goes, are completely smoke-free," he said.
Glens Falls Hospital implemented a similar policy just weeks ago, on Nov. 14, the day of the "Great American Smokeout."
Hospital personnel now smoke in designated areas, removing it from the social norm, said Julie Wright, coordinator of Tobacco Cessation and Education Services at Glens Falls Hospital.
"Nobody is exposed to it, and it’s not visible," Wright said.
Wright said she manned tables for education during the Great American Smokeout, and received positive feedback.
SATFC is funded by the New York State Department of Health Tobacco Control Program and is one of 30 similar programs throughout the state.
The organization serves Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties, and its meetings are open to the public.
For more information, please call 581-1230 or visit www.tobaccofreeadirondacks.org |
