June 14, 2007

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Should San Jose ban smoking in its city parks? (Asked at Via Valiente Plaza)

“Yes, I think they should. I don’t think smoking in city or county parks is a good thing. The public should be able to enjoy fresh air and nature. I don’t enjoy [the mess smokers leave]. There’s health reasons and this year there’s fire danger.”

Sara Goss, 40
Almaden
Homemaker


“Since I’m not a smoker and I’m so against smoking and there are children involved, yes they should.”

Diane Martin, 68
Gilroy
Retired


“They should ban smoking in the parks because even though it’s out in the open, it would keep the air cleaner. I don’t like being around smoke. The less I’m around it the better.”

Kristin DeMarco, 18
Gilroy
Student at Gavilan Community College


“Absolutely. It’s unhealthy. Some of us have asthma and the smoke affects our health. I get asthma attacks [from it].”

Chris Henry, 36
Morgan Hill
Swim coach at Almaden Swim & Racquet Club


"Absolutely not! First of all, I’m a smoker, but I think that’s taking things too far. It’s ridiculous.”

Jake Jonez, 30
Almaden
Contractor


"No, if that’s what they want they should set aside an area. It would give people an option to sit there or not. It’s just another eroding freedom. I’m an ex-smoker."

Nestor Barber, 73
Almaden
Retired


“They absolutely should because I hate smoking. It’s not good for you and it doesn’t set a good example for children. It’s dirty; it makes the sandbox dirty. It’s unhealthy and children could touch the butts.”

Silvia Simones, 47
Almaden
Consultant/homemaker


“No, I don’t think there is any evidence of damage done to people in such a wide open area,”

Brian Lancaster, 36
Almaden
Senior recruiter


“Yes, but it would be difficult to police it. But by eliminating it little kids wouldn’t see people smoking and teens wouldn’t be able to come to parks and smoke. But how would they police it?”

Beth Knighton, 40ish
Almaden
Bookkeeper


“No, because I think people smoking in parks doesn’t bother anyone else. I’m not a smoker but they have enough trouble with their habit anyway."

Beatrice Thomas
Almaden
Homemaker


“I don’t think so as long as they stay 20 feet away from the playground and don’t smoke around children.”

Summer Goulart, 20
Almaden
Waitress