No smoking in city parks

Dear Editor,
I read in the Times recently about the debate to stop individuals from Smoking in city parks. I believe a real serious health hazard is wood and charcoal fires in the picnic areas. Specicifically Lincoln Park. The upper and lower picnic areas are next to children's play areas and a wading pool. Often groups are cooking (frying) grease meat on the grills and the smoke clouds drift over the pool were children and toddlers are playing. The children are inhaling these particles of combustion and other carcinogens in wood and charcoal fires when these group parties go on for hours.
Why not post a "No Smoking" sign on any benches located next to walking paths in city parks and concentrate on serious issues.

Paul Jensen

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Comments

Re: No smoking in city parks

The EPA estimates that wood smoke is 12 times more carcinogenic than equal amounts of tobacco smoke, yet this is allowed in parks?
Wood smoke attacks our body cells up to forty times longer than tobacco smoke.
A park should be a place where all can enjoy themselves and breathe clean air. Many people have stopped going there due to the stench of the smoke.
Why does burning taking precedence over the health of those who want clean air at the park? It doesn't make sense at all.
Please ban wood smoke as well so everyone can enjoy the park again.