Rehoboth should ban smoking in public

Henry R. Horsey

February 28, 2013

See the New England Journal of Medicine' special article Jan. 24 reported on Feb. 18 in the New York Times by Jane E. Brody, health editor: Over 200,000 deaths occur annually in this country.

At greatest risk are men and women between 55 and 74 years of age - even greater than those between 35 and 69. Deaths among smokers are three times as high as those who are non-smokers. Restrictions on smoking in public places are among the recommendations both to deter smokers and to protect non-smokers, children and infants from the proven dangers of injury from second-hand smokers.

The Rehoboth Commissioners' duty to the citizens and public is to strengthen and extend the city's ban on smoking in public places from simply its parks to include its public beaches, Boardwalk and walkways. Why else than for the protection of all from the deadly hazards to health of second-hand smoking and from the litter of discarded butts left in the smokers' wakes.

Henry R. Horsey
Rehoboth Beach

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