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NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Anyone visiting the New Rochelle City Hall campus and police court facility will not be able to smoke on the site beginning Tuesday, the city announced.
The decision came from a recommendation of the New Rochelle Smoke-free Municipal Campus Committee made last spring to discuss smoking in offices and stairways by outdoor smokers although there was a designated smoking area.
New Rochelle City Manager Charles Strome said the decision is for everyone’s benefit.
“Our designation as a smoke-free campus protects the health and well-being of both employees and visitors alike,” said Strome in a statement.
The city looked at other sites for a designated smoking area and conducted surveys. The recommendation was one of many made by the committee. It was also approved by Schools Superintendent Richard Organisciak.
The committee included city employees and Board of Education employees, including school district Medical Director Dr. Adrienne Weiss-Harrison, and Sustainability Coordinator Deborah Newborn.
The city also received input from the American Lung Association's POWR’R Against Tobacco Coalition.
“The negative effects of smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke are well established, scientifically,” said Weiss-Harrison in a statement.
Weiss-Harrison serves on the Lung Association’s northeast board of directors and its nationwide assembly, the city said.
“The goal is to protect employees from exposure to second-hand smoke. We also want to raise awareness of employees who smoke, and will have materials regarding cessation available on the campus,” she said. “In truth, most people who smoke know that quitting would be best for their health. We hope to motivate those who smoke that this would be a good time to quit.”
Signs have been installed at all building entrances, the city said.
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