Rockville Centre co-op goes smoke free

The One Jefferson Avenue Coop Corporation has set a precedent in implementing a smoking ban on its 3-acre complex.. The ban on smoking extends to a large landscaped courtyard and four commercial tenants. 

“This effort was adopted on behalf of the health and well being of over 120 residents, employees and visitors,” said Estelle Scarpinato, who with her husband Emanuel, owns Ormond Park Realty, the landlord and manager of the complex.

“As landlords and co-op managers, we have a responsibility to protect the residents from dangerous toxins,” Estelle said. Considering a ban after hearing the "smoke free housing"media campaign last summer and learning of Rentlinx -- a free service for landlords to list their smoke free properties for the public, Estelle followed up with a phone call to the Tobacco Action Coalition. A meeting was scheduled between the Scarpinatos and Carol Meschkow, the Nassau project coordinator of the Tobacco Action Coalition, who assured them that it was legal to go smoke-free. 

Meschkow offered technical support, and eventually the Scarpinatos met with Coop Board President Cathy Sama, who enlisted the support of the board. According to Sama, an asthma sufferer, this was a lifesaving idea. The meetings set the groundwork for a legal process provided by the corporation’s attorneys which included a letter to the residents notifying them of the new policy. To the surprise and delight of the Scarpinatos, the notice wasn’t met with any objections. The complex grounds are now litter free and the issue of drifting smoke in the buildings has been addressed. 

For their leadership and commitment to protect their families and employees from the dangers of secondhand smoke, the Scarpinatos were recognized as 2010 Tobacco Control Champions by the Tobacco Action Coalition and recipients of an award at the coalition’s annual award luncheon.