"Nutter said the order accomplishes three things: protects the environment from littered cigarette butts, which can be harmful to animals and local water sources; help smokers quit; and protect against second-hand smoke."
"Nutter said he doesn't need to punish violators to get his point across"
What is the main point of the article, and how is it supported?
The mayor of Philadelphia has made it illegal to smoke in all parks of Philadelphia. The mayor would like this ban on smoking to be as second nature as smoking prohibitions in hospitals and restaurants.
References the Clean Indoor Air Worker Protection Law of 2007
Views on the mayor's order were offered
People in favor believe it's a matter of "consideration" for the well-being of the people around them.
People against don't understand why the problem aimed to solve is secondhand smoke, not the large amounts of pollution produced all over the city.
This kind of thinking can inspire more large-scale work, but belittles the "small steps."
What actors (individuals or organizations) are referred to? (Provide names and short descriptions.)
Michael Nutter
Mayor of Philadelphia
Curtis Miyamoto
chairperson at the Department of Radiation Oncology at Temple's School of Medicine
What kind of causation or responsibility is argued or implied in the article?
The intent of this order is to have areas of cleaner air for the people of Philadelphia.
""This is part of our overall commitment to promote a healthy lifestyle for all Philadelphians by creating safe, accessible, smoke-free spaces," Nutter said. "
It can be implied that the act is intending to make it more difficult for people to continue to smoke cigarettes by further limiting available public locations for smoking.
Promoting healthy habits and healthy air or taking away personal freedom?
How (if at all) are health disparities or other equity issues addressed in the article or report?
Second hand smoke is the main topic of the article, therefore the health disparity between smokers and non-smokers is addressed. The point of the order is to prevent non-smokers from acquiring the health effects caused by the polluted air.
What three points, details or references from the article did you follow up on to advance your understanding of the issued and actors described in the article?
I followed up on public opinions of Mayor Michael Nutter
Generally negative
39% approval rating (according to a Jan., 2015 article) despite growth of Philly during his time as mayor.
"The city’s population has grown in every year of his mayoralty, reversing a half century of decline that lasted until just before his election. The homicide rate this year is down 36 percent from 2007. The city’s upgraded bond rating — A+, the highest in decades — would be a notable achievement even if it hadn’t been earned in the wake of the 2008 recession."
This negative opinion comes from the "idealism" and high expectations of the people of Philadelphia
I looked more into detail about the Clean Indoor Air Worker Protection Law.
"Tobacco smoke, also referred to as secondhand smoke, contains more than 4,000 known chemical compounds that are released into the air as particles and gases."
Definitely considered air pollution
Other scientific findings about second hand smoke are listed as motives
Prohibit smoking in restaurants, bars, places of work, and other public enclosed areas
Tommy Rowan, "Mayor Nutter signs order: no smoking in city parks," Metro Philadelphia, April 29, 2014, http://www.metro.us/local/mayor-nutter-signs-order-no-smoking-in-city-parks/tmWndC---880ajWkQkFbB6/.
What two (or more) quotes capture the message of the article?
- "Nutter said the order accomplishes three things: protects the environment from littered cigarette butts, which can be harmful to animals and local water sources; help smokers quit; and protect against second-hand smoke."
- "Nutter said he doesn't need to punish violators to get his point across"
What is the main point of the article, and how is it supported?- The mayor of Philadelphia has made it illegal to smoke in all parks of Philadelphia. The mayor would like this ban on smoking to be as second nature as smoking prohibitions in hospitals and restaurants.
- References the Clean Indoor Air Worker Protection Law of 2007
- Views on the mayor's order were offered
- People in favor believe it's a matter of "consideration" for the well-being of the people around them.
- People against don't understand why the problem aimed to solve is secondhand smoke, not the large amounts of pollution produced all over the city.
- This kind of thinking can inspire more large-scale work, but belittles the "small steps."
What actors (individuals or organizations) are referred to? (Provide names and short descriptions.)- Michael Nutter
- Mayor of Philadelphia
- Curtis Miyamoto
- chairperson at the Department of Radiation Oncology at Temple's School of Medicine
What kind of causation or responsibility is argued or implied in the article?- The intent of this order is to have areas of cleaner air for the people of Philadelphia.
- ""This is part of our overall commitment to promote a healthy lifestyle for all Philadelphians by creating safe, accessible, smoke-free spaces," Nutter said. "
- It can be implied that the act is intending to make it more difficult for people to continue to smoke cigarettes by further limiting available public locations for smoking.
- Promoting healthy habits and healthy air or taking away personal freedom?
How (if at all) are health disparities or other equity issues addressed in the article or report?- Second hand smoke is the main topic of the article, therefore the health disparity between smokers and non-smokers is addressed. The point of the order is to prevent non-smokers from acquiring the health effects caused by the polluted air.
What three points, details or references from the article did you follow up on to advance your understanding of the issued and actors described in the article?