Teens want parks smoke-free

VERNON - Vernon High juniors Nicole Oceanak and Katie Deblin and fellow REBEL members want to make Vernon Parks smoke free. Oceanak is the school chapter leader of REBEL (Reaching Everyone by Exposing Lies), a grassroots, national antismoking organization for young people. Vernon High chapter members had written a letter to Mayor Ira Weiner about their desire to keep Vernon parks tobacco free. Monday the two girls came in person to ask the council to ban smoking in township parks. Ellen Sang, their faculty advisor, stood by. "I can't tell you how happy we are to hear that you're active in our community," said Deputy Mayor Janet Morrison. Councilman Austin Carew added that as a former smoker, he knows only too well that smoking definitely will impair a person's health. " You guys might want to get involved with legislation to ban smoking in restaurants in New Jersey," said Weiner. "Lots of places are smoky and you're breathing that second hand smoke." "It's good to see young people doing something they believe in. So many people wander through life semiconscious." "You're doing a positive thing," added Councilman Neil Desmond.