Wasco City parks go tobacco/vape-free

WASCO, OR - North Central Public Health District extends its appreciation to the city of Wasco in Sherman County for approving a policy making its two city parks tobacco/vape-free.

The Wasco City Council unanimously passed a policy in late May making Wasco City Park (the Old City Park) and Depot Park (Wasco Depot Park) tobacco/vape-free, effective July 1. NCPHD paid for four new signs for the parks, which were recently installed.

Wasco City Clerk/Recorder Ian Melzer said, "This is part of the City's efforts to improve and sustain the health of our residents and visitors."

Neita Cecil, the Tobacco Prevention and Education Program Coordinator for NCPHD, said, "We're thrilled the city of Wasco has taken this step. Policies like this can have so many benefits. Most importantly, they protect the public from exposure to secondhand smoke."

Cecil added, "They also reduce litter and fire danger from discarded butts and send a message to youth about the harms of tobacco. They also help people who are trying to quit stay quit because they aren't tempted when they see someone else smoke or vape."

The signs have a QR code that links to NCPHD's free tobacco cessation service, which offers free counseling to all ages and free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges to those 18 and up. To sign yourself up, please visit http://www.ncphd.org/tobacco-programs.