Birmingham Group Health Services is calling it quits.
The nonprofit agency has created a non-smoking campus at its properties on Main and East Main streets in downtown Ansonia.
“The purpose is to lead the cause against a preventive disease that leads to death,” said Pamela Mautte, director of Valley Substance Abuse Action Council (VSAAC).
“Second-hand smoke contributes to asthma, heart disease, respitory infection and cancer,” Mautte said.
Mautte said the buildings, doorways, surrounding sidewalks and parking lots of Birmingham sites will be designated non-smoking areas.
“It is voluntary, but our organization is committed to promoting a healthy and safe environment and eliminating tobacco use helps us achieve that goal,” Mautte said. “It helps people coming through the building to not have to walk through second-hand smoke.”
John Dykman, a life skills counselor at Birmingham, said he thinks the non-smoking campus a good idea.
“Clients are not allowed to smoke in front of the doors and they have to go down the street because you have people who smoke who have to put up with it,” Dykman said. “Also, now staff is not allowed to smoke on campus. If we are smoking then we are not putting up a good example for clients.”
Mautte said Birmingham has a program to assist staff to stop smoking and a Nicotine Anonymous group for the community.
Reaction
Smokers at the Ansonia green across from Birmingham’s parking lot had varying opinions about the change.
“I would rather be able to smoke where ever I want,” Kathleen Dwyer said. “I’m not quitting because I enjoy smoking and I am healthy.”
Gail Rodriguez, who has been smoking for 37 years, said she would respect the change at Birmingham.
“If people don’t smoke and they don’t like the smell then what can you do?” Rodriquez said. “I abide by the rules. I wish I can quit and I wish there were more smoking cessation programs in the Valley.”
When a reporter told Rodriguez about Birmingham’s program for smokers, Rodriguez walked in and asked to speak to someone about quitting smoking. She came out minutes later and said that someone would contact her about joining the program.
Tanya Newcomb, of Ansonia, said that she wants to quit but it is hard and sometimes she just starts up again. However, Newcomb deals with smoking her own way.
“I don’t inhale,” Newcomb said.
