Advertisement. Advertise with us

Fortin Park Becomes

A Tobacco-Free Zone

Oneonta Town Supervisor Bob Wood and Town Clerk Cheryl Shackelton, left, stand with Deyanira Cisneros and Bonnie Peck, right, from SUNY Cobleskill’s Research Foundation, who presented them with several signs this morning at Town Hall. The news signs will soon be hung in Fortin Park in Emmons, proclaiming the area a tobacco-free zone. That means no cigarettes, vaping and or chewing. The signs are part of the Advancing Tobacco Free Communities program , funded by a grant from the state Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Control. “Ten years ago I owned a grocery store that sold cigarettes,” said Wood. “If I was to own a grocery store today, I would not sell tobacco at all. (The town) is glad to get ahead of the advancing tobacco technology to protect our youth.” Although the signs throw a little bit of a misconception – vapes are to be shown as crossed out and are therefore banned from being used in these areas, even though vapes don’t contain tobacco, as you can in this Vape Starter Kit. Perhaps nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco that smokers crave, should be the slogan for the poster instead, reading ” This is a nicotine-free zone”. It is a shame to completely ban vapes, as those used with a weed e liquid that gets you high can actually have many health benefits to those using them. A blanket ban makes it easier to enforce, though. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)

Posted

Tags

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


Related Articles

Top Photos from Fall, Winter 2025

Since starting as a reporter here at AllOtsego in September 2025, I've had the chance to travel the county telling all kinds of stories. Along the way, I made photos of what I saw. Here are some of my favorites, some published and others shared here for the first time.…
January 28, 2026

Time Out Otsego: 01-25-26

CONCERT—3 p.m. “Winter 2026 Pops Concert.” Presented by the Catskill Valley Wind Ensemble. Featuring music from “Frozen,” “Lord of the Rings,” James Bond movies and more. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 435-1672 or https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1172154061572846&set=a.385705693551024…
January 24, 2026

Time Out Otsego: 01-23-26

WRITERS—6-8 p.m. “Lyric Lab: A Writers Workshop.” Presented by Gotham City Outpost. Open to all singers, rappers and poets to exchange feedback. Southside Mall, 5006 State Highway 23, Oneonta. (607) 437-9361 or https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122115212319134171&set=a.122104568643134171…
January 22, 2026

PUTTING THE COMMUNITY BACK INTO THE NEWSPAPER

For a limited time, new annual subscriptions to the hard copy of “The Freeman’s Journal” or “Hometown Oneonta” (which also includes unlimited access to AllOtsego.com), or digital-only access to AllOtsego.com, can also give back to one of their favorite Otsego County charitable organizations.

$5.00 of your subscription will be donated to the nonprofit of your choice: Friends of the Feral-TNR, Super Heroes Humane Society, or Susquehanna Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 

Visit our “subscribe” page and select your charity of choice at checkout

SUBSCRIBE