Shah praises smoke-free recreation areas in Ulster County

State Health Commissioner Nirav Shah, a physician, praised Ulster County today for its work in creating smoke-free outdoor public areas. Twenty-three of the 24 municipalities in the county either have adopted or plan to pass laws or regulations that restrict smoking in public-recreation areas. Shah made a stop in Rosendale, Ulster County, today to discuss the issue as part of his visits to six counties this week, which is National Public Health Week. "By prohibiting tobacco use in public outdoor areas such as parks, playgrounds, and beaches, Ulster County is making great progress toward its goal of becoming the healthiest county in the state," Shah said in a statement. "There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, which is a danger even in outdoor areas. Children exposed to even small amounts of secondhand smoke are at heightened risk for adverse health effects."