NEWBURGH – The group POWR
that urges a smoke-free environment is calling on Newburgh to adopt a
no-smoking policy in city parks.
Meghan DuBois O’Connor of POWR, which stands for “Putnam, Orange, Westchester, Rockland,” said smoke-free parks mean better health for everyone there.
“We are not out to villainize people that smoke; it’s an addiction; it’s horrible,” said DuBois. “We provide as many resources as we can. Our health centers are well-education on how to help people quick smoking. The positive role modeling of setting these kinds of policies in action and having healthy, clean spaces for our youths to go and be and interact outside and not have to deal with the negative aspects of smoking is definitely a positive thing for our future.”
Communities in Orange County that have policies of no-smoking in parks include the cities of Middletown and Port Jervis, the towns of Wallkill and Warwick and the Village of Walden, O’Connor said.
SUNY Ulster tuition to increase in fall
May 1, 2024
