Smoking in Middletown, New York could land you in jail

MELBOURNE - New York’s Middletown City Council has passed an anti-smoking rule, which can land people in jail for up to 15 days, if they are caught smoking in city playgrounds, pools and parks.

The rule is viewed as a measure to protect public health and is intended to reduce the exposure of kids to second-hand smoke.

It has been passed by a resolution of the council in the Hudson Valley town 65 miles (104 km) from New York City.

City officials say the rules also have penalties attached with a maximum fine of 150 dollars and jail term of 15 days, which are designed for repeat offenders.

Meghan DuBois O’Connor, the Orange County coordinator for POW’R said having tobacco-free parks, beaches, playgrounds and pools in New York state is one of the goals of POW’R Against Tobacco, a state-funded group working to reduce tobacco use.

The American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association also are pleased with the smoking ban.

“I think this is something that is long overdue,” the Daily Telegraph quoted Middletown Alderman Ashok Sabnis as saying. (ANI)