You Could Be Fined If You Smoke Near A Park In Albany

If you smoke, you may not be able to near any recreational parks in the City Of  Albany, if the Albany Common Council has their way.

In reports from the Times Union and YNN, they will be voting on the law on Thursday night. If it passes and you smoke near a park, swimming pool or a ball field, you’ll be fined $50 dollars.

The Capital District Tobacco-Free Coalition is pushing for the new legislation. They’re a nonprofit agency that’s funded with New York State grants aimed at getting people to stop smoking and preventing others from starting, especially children.

Some of the other Albany area communities that already have smoke-free parks and playgrounds are Colonie, Bethlehem and Rotterdam. Schenectady already has a similar ordinance. With the laws making it tougher for where people can smoke and the price of cigarettes, it might be a good time to try to quit.