Wednesday, August 13, 2003

By Jim McMahon, Tri-State Sports & News Service

Baldwin High School students are known to catch a drag on their cigarettes in the safe confines of property outside the restrictive area of the school's grounds.

But for smokers under the age of 18, that safe haven could be eliminated if Whitehall officials act favorably on a suggestion by Mayor Jim Nowalk.

Nowalk asked council last week to consider adopting an ordinance that would prohibit anyone under the age of 18 from smoking in any of the borough's public areas.

"Smoking sets a bad example for younger students, and we should consider the ordinance if it makes sense," Nowalk said.

He brought back the idea from the annual Pennsylvania Mayors' Association Convention several weeks ago in State College. He said the mayor of Lititz reported that a number of eastern communities had enacted or were considering such legislation.

"I think it makes sense, since the state prohibits the sale of cigarettes to those under 18 and the high school prohibits that activity on its grounds," Nowalk said.

The request, however, generated little support from council, and Council President Phil Lahr referred the issue to the borough's solicitor and the public safety committee for review.

After the meeting, as a number of borough officials caught a smoke before reconvening for an executive session, sentiment was strongly against a smoking ban.

"How are you going to enforce such an ordinance?" commented Police Chief J. William Schmitt, who noted that the department had neither the time nor the manpower to establish a smoke patrol.

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