Bristol Township Council voted to ban smoking and vaping at parks.
Last Thursday, the Council enacted a new ordinance to block the public from using tobacco products at its parks.
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Prior to the vote, the township ordinance had only blocked smoking at school district property and township buildings.
Falls and Middletown townships have blocked use of tobacco products at parks for several years. The townships have received support from the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Young Lungs at Play program, which provides free signs for communities.
Certified Prevention Specialist Melanie Swanson of the The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania said banning tobacco use at parks would set a good example for kids.
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“Children imitate adult behavior. If we can model healthy behavior and protect the young lungs of children playing, then we’re doing some great work,” she said.
Among youth, vaping has seen an increase in recent years. The new form of tobacco use has been shown to be just a dangerous or even more dangerous.
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Damita Harvey of the Bristol Cares Coalition applauded Parks and Recreation Director Jessica Fox and Township Manager Randee Elton for their work keeping tobacco use out of public spaces.
Bristol Township Council Vice President Cindy Murphy applauded the work of those who led the charge.
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