Cigarette smoking

[dylan]

I'm not sure if this belongs here but I'm still recovering from a sore throat I developed this week while spending time at the occupation.

The smoking was happening at the info table and at the public safety meeting.

I would like to propose that smoking be kept out of 'public' areas and working group and caucus meetings and general assemblies.

[Arie]

As a former smoker (who still occasionally has one or two, socially) I see both sides of the coin.

I think that it's reasonable to ask people to have "smoking depots", or areas that are expected to have cigartte smoke and smells.

Perhaps we could get butt-cans and post signs in these areas?

As far as smoking in the "Community Tents" I think this is a bad idea. One issue is that people who don't like the smell of the cigarettes/cigars won't spend time in the tents, and the other is that some people can not be AROUND cigarette smoke.

I've brought up several times that there are people from a local retirement home that would like to come to Occupy Albany. Several of them are on Oxygen, which is explosive around flame/coals/cigarettes etc. It's not only a safety concern for them, but also everyone around them.

I think we need to make this an equally accessible environment, and part of that should be that someone should not have to worry about an exploding oxygen tank when they want to pick up a tri-fold at information, or when they drop off socks at comfort.

Just my .02....

[dylan]

I'm a former smoker too, but the ubiquitousness of the smoking is almost at an absurd level. I was serving food last night and I think everyone I served had at least two lit cigarettes in each hand.

A smoking depot, away from the food, comfort, legal and info tents would be a huge help, but I also would suggest that people tone it down a bit.

[rachael]

On Day 1 an announcement was made asking smokers to go away from the crowds to smoke and be mindful of where the butts go. I thought this was great. When I went to Zuchotti Park with my family we would sometimes have to leave the area because it was too smokey. I have found over the last 2 weeks at Academy Park to be no different except that the park is larger and easier to find smoke free spots. I find it totally offensive and even embarrassing that people are constantly smoking near or even at the info table, near the food etc.. I smoke. I always go off to an unpopulated area if I do it at the park. I realize I am still polluting the air but the smoking going on where all the main action is is off the hook. It sucks especially for children and non smokers. I think its a joke that I am always seeing people smoking near the sign that says "...drug free..." Cigarettes are drugs and I think it is completely wrong that many smokers are oblivious to the fact that those around them can't breath fresh air outdoors. I don't have a solution but I agree its fucked up and needs to be curbed. I am not there everyday but I can only imagine how bad it is for those who are. I will be there later today and would be happy to help figure out reasonable solutions.

[laurelyoung]

Hi this is Laurel from the Mind/Body Spirit working group and i appreciate this problem being brought to us as a concern. I met today with the medical group and brought your concern up there. Although we recognize this as an ongoing concern it is not and easy one to address. Smoking is allowed in utdoor public places which is problematic for us at the park. Enforcing genral friendly neighbor policies has been difficult at best and i don't even think this is one of them, altough I don't know for sure. i think Aries idea about smoking depots or areas with butt cans is a good one and will encourgage most considerate smokers to utilize them. unfortunately many are not considerate smokers. I do think we shoudl really crack down people from smoking around working tents and at the GA as it really can limit participation. i wish i had a better answer answer but this is not an easily resolvable issue.