NEW ROCHELLE, NY — As of January 15, the New Rochelle City Hall Campus and adjacent Police Court Facility will be tobacco- free.
The decision by City Manager Charles B. Strome III was based on the recommendation of the Joint City of New Rochelle/City School District of New Rochelle Smoke-Free Municipal Campus committee, established last spring to address the issue of cigarette smoke permeating offices and stairways from outdoor smokers despite the designation of a smoking area. The committee was comprised of employees from the City, Board of Education and Police Court Facility, including Dr. Adrienne Weiss- Harrison, Medical Director of the City School District and City of New Rochelle Sustainability Coordinator Deborah Newborn.
As part of its discussion, City Manager Strome noted, the committee received input from the American Lung Association POWR’R Against Tobacco Coalition, reviewed alternate sites for a designated smoking area, and conducted a staff survey and a survey of New York State smoke-free municipalities. A smoke-free campus was one of a number of the committee’s recommendations and also approved by the Superintendent of Schools. “Our designation as a smoke-free campus protects the health and well-being of both employees and visitors alike,” said Strome.
”The negative effects of smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke are well established, scientifically,” said Dr. Weiss, who serves on the Board of Directors of the American Lung Association of the Northeast and on the American Lung Association Nationwide Assembly. “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. 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.
