To the Editor:

I am writing to thank the Princeton Board of Health for approving a smoking ban in Princeton’s public outdoor spaces. Princeton has a long history of progressive measures to protect the public health, and leads again with this ordinance. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death, and this initiative will protect everyone who congregates in parks and outdoor spaces from secondhand smoke.  Indeed, studies show that outdoor concentrations of secondhand smoke can be comparable to those in smoky indoor settings.   By this ordinance, Princeton is setting a standard for Mercer County that promotes a healthful environment for outdoor activities and helps to normalize smoke free surroundings.

Heather Howard

Princeton Council Liaison to the Board of Health

Aiken Avenue