Community events in Foster City will soon be “Smoke Free” zones, promoting cleanliness, comfort and respiratory health of all participants.

The Foster City Parks and Recreation Department received City Council approval at the March 2, 2009, City Council meeting to establish a smoke-free environment for events organized, operated, or sponsored by the City of Foster City, including the popular annual Arts and Wine Festival. In addition to City-sponsored events, youth sports events will continue to be “smoke-free.”

The Foster City Parks and Recreation Department worked in partnership with youth advocates from the Youth Leadership Institute’s Youth Organizing San Mateo County (YO Mateo) and the San Mateo County Tobacco Education Coalition to bring forward this recommendation that received unanimous support from the Parks and Recreation Committee. The Youth Leadership Institute’s guidance, knowledge, and staff and youth leader resources facilitated the process to bring forward a smoke-free event recommendation to City Council. The Youth Leadership Institute is a non-profit that supports communities to bring youth and adults together to create positive social change. YO Mateo member, Kate Lin, said that, “It is important to remember that there are no safe exposure levels of second-hand smoke.” Foster City is one of over 500 communities across California that promote smoke-free events and venues in parks and public spaces.

Smoke-free environments also discourage new youth smokers from lighting up, since 38,100 kids become regular smokers every year in California. “The big issue here is the environment in which tobacco use is the norm and, in turn, encourages youth to begin smoking,” said Lucas Moeria, youth advocate of YO Mateo.

The Parks and Recreation Department will promote the following special events as smoke-free events in 2009: 

• Foster City Pacific Islands Festival
• Fourth of July Celebration
• Summer Concert Series
• Paddle and Play
• Community Bike Ride
• Halloween Festival
• Community Tree Lighting

Additionally, Halloween Safe Streets, the Arts and Wine Festival, and community youth and adult sport programs will be recognized as smoke-free events. Youth sports programs sponsored by the following organizations will be smoke-free:

• Peninsula Youth Soccer Club
• American Youth Soccer Organization
• Foster City Little League
• Foster City Youth Softball Association
• Foster City Pony and Colt Youth Baseball

Signage at events will remind event patrons that the City prefers that the events be smoke-free. Every patron’s voluntary cooperation with the policy is greatly appreciated.

The Parks and Recreation Department promotes health and wellness. We hope you will join us this summer for a smoke-free event and take advantage of the clean and healthy surroundings and breath of fresh air.

For more information about smoke-free events, please contact Kevin Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation at 286-3388 or kmiller@fostercity.org.