Jump to full article: Amherst (MA) Bulletin, 2009-10-09
Intro: Amherst's Board of Health may once again be a trend-setter in protecting the public from the hazards of smoking in places where people congregate.
In the late 1990s, the board came under fire for banning smoking in bars, then a new frontier for government regulation. But it became clear that Amherst was ahead of the rest of the state. In 2004, smoking was banned in all bars, restaurants and workplaces.
Now, the Board of Health is considering a ban on outdoor smoking within 15 feet of town-owned buildings and in public recreation areas. There has also been discussion of a ban at the swimming area at Puffer's Pond in Amherst and at scheduled events on the town common.
We support their efforts. . . .
Most people don't want to breathe air that's been contaminated by someone else's cigarette smoke. The Board of Health's proposed regulations are not a radical assault on smokers' rights. The board is merely trying to further protect the health of nonsmokers.
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