45 new signs mark Harrisburg’s parks and playgrounds as tobacco-free zones.
Starting today, 45 new signs will mark Harrisburg’s playgrounds as “tobacco-free zones,” reminding park-goers that young lungs are playing.
The statewide “Young Lungs at Play” initiative aims to eliminate the exposure of second-hand smoke to children in public places. Those who violate the tobacco-free zone will be subject to a $50 fine.
“Even a brief exposure to second-hand smoke can be dangerous,” said Deborah Brown, president and CEO of the American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic.
Roughly 11 percent of Harrisburg’s infants, children and teens have asthma. About 7 percent of adults in Harrisburg have chronic lung conditions, Brown said.
Harrisburg joins the ranks of cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in implementing this initiative in its 27 parks and playgrounds, said Dr. Loren Robinson, deputy secretary of health promotion at the state Department of Health.
The YMCA and the American Lung Association approached Mayor Eric Papenfuse in September to propose the “Young Lungs at Play” Initiative. It passed City Council quickly.
“All of us in positions of leadership in the city feel that our youth are this important and that this initiative is essential to everyone’s health and wellness,” Papenfuse said.
Papenfuse’s proposed budget includes paying the salary for a second park ranger to enforce park rules including the tobacco-free zones. He will propose his budget at Tuesday’s council meeting.
Author: Danielle Roth
