Taking a puff in Buffalo City Parks could soon cost you. Buffalo Councilman, Darius Pridgen is proposing a city law that would ban smoking at all city parks outside of designated areas. Pridgen thinks this is one way to better control second hand smoke.
Over the past 4 years Pridgen has battled a lung disease, likely caused by second hand smoke. After talking with Roswell Park Cancer Institute leaders about the parks, he believes this is something that needs to happen.
"This is about life. This is about fresh air, which we all have I believe the right to enjoy, and it's not even shutting out people who choose to smoke," Pridgen said.
Buffalo is one of the last major cities in the state without a smoking ordinance at public parks. This proposed law will work similar to the ban on smoking at city owned buildings.
"This would be a violation. It's not a misdemeanor or felony," Pridgen said.
The proposed ordinance is expected to be discussed in committee within the coming weeks. If passed by the city it could go into effect as soon as this summer.
