Soccer smoking ban a good idea

5/29/07
Most of the country is accustomed to smoking bans at this point. At work, out to eat, in the bar — there are fewer places than ever to light up these days. If a proposed municipal ordinance passes in Shelton, you can add the soccer field to that list.
The Shelton Youth Soccer Organization has requested that the Parks and Recreation Department make the community’s soccer fields smoke-free. It’s a reasonable request, and the town should take action to make it happen.
In a setting where children are physically exerting themselves and learning good health habits, it makes sense not to send them mixed messages. Youth sports are a great way to get kids exercising while having fun, and there’s nothing unreasonable about asking a spectator to wait to light up until the game’s over.
And it’s also not out of line for parents and friends to want a smoke-free environment for cheering on the players. We’ve grown accustomed to it in restaurants and in government and private offices — why should soccer fields be any different?
The town or parks department could just put up signs telling people not to smoke, but to be enforceable with a fine, the town would have to pass an ordinance. It would go above and beyond the state law banning smoking in public places, which doesn’t include outdoor activities.
There’s something known informally as a smokers-rights movement that says society’s laws are too onerous on private behavior, and that one person’s right to enjoy a cigarette shouldn’t be up to a town politician. There might be an argument there, but not over soccer fields. When Little Jimmy scores a goal and runs over to give Mom a high-five, he shouldn’t have to navigate a cloud of smoke.