Smoke Free In Princeton

Princeton has become the latest municipality to join forces with the Canadian Cancer Society to help crush tobacco use.

The CCS and Interior Health are encouraging local communities to establish Tobacco Free Zones in playgrounds, parks, sports fields, arenas and any location where children gather to play.

Jerilynn Kiely of the CCS says Princeton's TFZs will come into effect in the spring at Riverside Centre, Centennial Pool, the library and museum grounds, Rotary Park at Thomas Avenue, Lions Park at Angela Avenue and Main Street, Glenview Park, Glenview Crescent, Tunnel Park, Auburn Crescent and Westridge Park.

"TFZs sport brightly coloured signs that prohibit tobacco use within a 10 metre area. TFZ also provide opportunities for adults to be positive and healthy role models to young people. When children witness smoking or the use of chewing tobacco in play and sport-friendly places, they get the message that tobacco use is acceptable. Tobacco Free Zones will provide everyone with a tobacco-free environment," says Kiely.

She says children are especially vulnerable to the ill-effects of second hand smoke.

"The town is acknowledging the long-term health of the children by establishing TFZs. It will also be a benefit to the city in terms of cleaning costs because there won't be cigarette butts and tobacco products laying around the fields," says Kiely.