No Smoking On Playgrounds Soon To Be A Rule

In a few short months, adults trying to light up near playgrounds on any of West Chester's 11 parks will likely be pointed to a sign that reads "young lungs at play! This is a tobacco-free zone."

Parks and recreation director Keith Kurowski said the borough plans to adopt the Young Lungs At Play, a Penn State Extension and Pennsylvania Health Department initiative, and display signs in parks near children's areas to discourage smoking.

The initiative has already been adopted by several nearby organizations -- including the Brandywine YMCA, Freedom Valley YMCA, South Coventry Township and Penn Township.

Although Kurowski said the borough will likely adopt the initiative, officials do not plan to draft new ordinance that would allow law enforcement to ticket those who don't heed the signage.

"We’re mostly looking to educate," he said. "I myself am a smoker, but I don’t think it’s a right example for our youngsters."

Young Lungs At Play public health educator Andrea LeFever, who grew up playing in West Chester's parks, said that's OK because the campaign is more about education than anything else.

"With second hand smoke you’re exposing children to more than 250 chemicals," she said. "There’s at least 30,000 deaths due to second hand smoke each year and over 1 million illnesses in children."

Furthermore, LeFever said it's important not just to shelter children from harmful effects of tobacco, but to discourage them from starting the habit when they're older.

"Children learn by example," she said. "So if they see adults smoke in the park they’re going to see it’s socially acceptable."

Lastly, LeFever said other organizations who've already acquired signage have seen a decrease in litter from cigarette butts.

The borough won't be fronting any of the money for the signs -- they're all paid for by the organization.

Kurowski said he and LeFever will tour the parks in the next coming weeks to plan out where signs will go. But he said he only plans on putting them in areas where children are present -- not throughout entire parks.

Playground goers can expect to see the signs by fall.