Opinion

Dear Editor,I would like to thank and commend the Sheriffs Department for their enforcement in our community parks, particularly with respect to the drunk and disorderly behavior. (It's a community affair, Aug. 14th) I would also like to request that the Sheriff's enforce the "No Smoking" ordinance that exists for all of our county parks as well.Although a common occurrence, I am always stunned when people choose to light up in our parks and playgrounds and around children in particular. For kids, secondhand smoke causes ear infections, bronchitis and other respiratory infections. It also exacerbates asthma and increases chances of SIDS. In adults who have never smoked, secondhand smoke causes heart disease, lung cancer and stroke.According to the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services, there is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure and even brief exposure can be harmful to our health.Our parks should be a safe and healthy environment. Smoking should not be tolerated anymore than drunk and disorderly conduct.Jennifer Gomez,Lompico