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Park District’s Goes Tobacco Free at All Parks & Facilities

Posted on: December 16, 2015

December 16, 2016 — The Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to pass an ordinance making all its property and parks smoke free, tobacco free, and e-cigarette free effective in spring, 2016. The move expands a ban on smoking that has been in effect since 2004.

A presentation by DuPage County Glenbard REALITY Illinois representatives, made up of students from all four Glenbard High Schools along with advisor Gilda Ross, played a role in the District’s decision. In August, they presented information on tobacco-free parks to the Board, including the benefits of tobacco-free parks for the environment and the community. They also presented survey data collected from 184 residents in Glen Ellyn. Survey results showed that 86 percent of residents support tobacco-free parks.

“Our REALITY Illinois students have a favorite Ghandi quote: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” This ordinance is a perfect example of putting these words into action. We are grateful to the Glen Ellyn Park District Board and staff for their support in this important health initiative for the mutual benefit of our community,” said Gilda Ross, a Glenbard student and community projects coordinator.

“I’m so glad to hear that the board went through with our suggested policy change. Our group has worked incredibly hard these past few months to get educated and to get our ideas out there, and I think that along with the board we’ve made a huge difference in the wellness of our community. Tobacco-free parks make sense, and we know this will improve our environment and the health of the people in Glen Ellyn,” said Emily Asselmeier, a senior at Glenbard West High School.

Glen Ellyn Park District joins several other park districts in Illinois with a tobacco-free policy. They include Wheaton, Northbrook, Palatine, and Hoffman Estates.

An additional benefit of the policy is an anticipated reduction in the littering of cigarette butts in Glen Ellyn Park District parks. Studies show that cigarette butts, one of the most common forms of litter, take five to 10 years to fully decompose, while leaching toxins into the environment and waterways.

“The Board was very impressed by the high school students’ presentation and compelling evidence. They can take pride in the fact that they have very positively improved their community. We hope they will present to other park districts and local organizations,” stated Julia Nephew, President of the Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners.

REALITY Illinois is a statewide anti-tobacco movement created by high school students that works to encourage healthy lifestyles reduce secondhand smoke and protect the environment by promoting tobacco-free park policies. The organization is funded by the Illinois Department of Health and the DuPage County Health Department.