The State of Pennsylvania announced the “Young Lungs at Play” program, a new second hand smoke ban at 135 playgrounds in all 121 state parks.

All forms of tobacco, vaping and e-cigarettes will no longer will be permitted within 30 feet of state park playground facilities. Notification signs will be installed by Memorial Day, May 25, 2020.

The United States Surgeon General estimates secondhand smoke exposure contributes to approximately 41,000 deaths among non-smoking adults, and 400 deaths in infants each year. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for respiratory infections, middle ear disease, severe asthma and slowed lung growth.

The Young Lungs at Play initiative is funded through the Department of Health and American Lung Association. The prrogram complements the Sunscreen in the State Park Initiative the Division of Cancer Control and Prevention started with DCNR in 2017.