Smoking, Vaping Now Banned At PA State Park Playgrounds

HARRISBURG, PA —Smoking, vaping, and all forms of tobacco are now banned at playgrounds at all of Pennsylvania's state parks, officials announced Friday.

The state park playground ban eliminates children’s exposure to secondhand smoke at 135 locations in the state’s 121 parks. Notification signs will be installed by Memorial Day, state officials said.

“Our children should be guaranteed the right to play in clean air and healthy areas that are free of secondhand smoke," said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn.

According to information from state officials, secondhand smoke exposure contributes to approximately 41,000 deaths among non-smoking adults, and 400 deaths in infants each year.

Secondhand smoke exposure increases the risk for respiratory infections, middle ear disease, severe asthma and slowed lung growth.

The ban is part of the state's Young Lungs at Play initiative, which is funded through the Department of Health and American Lung Association. As part of the initiative, Pennsylvania communities have banned smoking and vaping at athletic fields, playgrounds, trails and city streets and sidewalks.