Maryland: Anne Arundel Recreation launches tobacco-free policy - NRPA in Action - Anne Arundel Recreation and Parks - Brief Article

Parks & Recreation, Dec, 2003

Anne Arundel Recreation and Parks, in conjunction with the Anne Arrundel County Department of Health and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Maryland--Smoking Stops Here movement recently launched a new policy restricting the use of tobacco products in more than 300 Anne Arundel County parks and fields. Anne Arundel is the ninth county in Maryland to institute tobacco policies or initiatives at state and county parks and fields, school facilities and sports complexes.

The policy, which went into effect Sept. 1, prohibits the use of all tobacco products in any restroom, concession and spectator area, dog park, aquatic facility or playground, as well as within 100 yards of any Recreation and Parks-organized activity.

"We know from the literature and research that kids start smoking between the ages of 15 and 14 due to the fact that there is a significant adult in their life who smokes," says Joan Stine, director of the Center for Health Promotion, Education, and Tobacco Use Prevention in the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. "If we want our school- and community-based efforts to succeed, we need to set positive examples for our kids--that's where it begins."

The policy will be enforced by way of 50 Tobacco-Free Zone signs, which will be posted in restrooms, at spectator and concession areas and in locations where organized activities take place Recreation and Parks staff will play an integral role in the effort by notifying community organizations of the policy, distributing brochures to park users and monitoring compliance.

"The policy became effective more than a month ago and has already been a huge success," says Director of Anne Arundel Recreation and Parks Dennis Callahan. "Without exception, everyone is adhering to the policy, and there have been no enforcement issues."

For more information about tobacco programs in Maryland and Anne Arundel County, visit Anne Arundel County's Citizen Information Center (www. accountry.org), Learn to Live-Healthy Living from the Anne Arundel County Department of Health (www.aahealth. org) or Maryland-Smoking Stops Here (www.SmokingStopsHere.com).