SUPPORT ​SMOKE-FREE ​PARKS

DID YOU KNOW?

Smoking steals the lives of over 480,000 Americans each year!

HELP MAKE OUR PARKS SMOKE AND VAPEFREE

ABOUT US


Parks: Play Hard Breathe Easy (PPHBE) strives to make recreational spaces in Southern Nevada ​healthier. We achieve this by reducing secondhand smoke exposure, raising awareness about the ​dangers of tobacco use, and ensuring everyone has fair access to clean, smoke and vape-free ​environments.

Smoke-Free Parks:

•Promote Healthy Lifestyles

•Help Keep Our Land Clean

•Protect Against Secondhand Smoke Exposure

SECONDHAND SMOKE

Does smoking pose risks even if you're not the one smoking directly?

Secondhand smoke is a mixture of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke exhaled by smokers.

It contains over 7,000 chemicals, with at least 70 known to cause cancer. People who don't smoke face risks like coronary heart ​disease, stroke, lung cancer, and premature death from secondhand smoke. Those with heart disease should be extra cautious to ​avoid even short exposures due to the higher risk. Children are especially vulnerable, experiencing ear infections, asthma, respiratory ​infections, and an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Protecting children involves maintaining smoke-free ​environments at home, in cars, and in public spaces, including parks and playgrounds.

Is vaping harmful to non-vapers?

Those who use electronic vaping devices should know that secondhand ​vapor is as harmful as tobacco secondhand smoke. Vape secondhand ​vapor:

Contains potentially harmful substances like nicotine, formaldehyde, and metals.

Shares similar harmful chemicals with tobacco secondhand smoke.

Increases the risk of respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath and bronchitis.

BENEFITS OF SMOKEFREE PARKS

SMOKEFREE PARKS PROMOTE ​HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

Smoke-free policies establish a community norm that smoking

and vaping are unhealthy for youth and adults.

Children who see adults smoking in family-friendly places view

the behavior as acceptable.

Removing conveniences and opportunities to smoke in public

helps support former smokers and people trying to quit,

enabling them to live a smoke-free lifestyle.

SMOKEFREE PARKS HELP KEEP ​OUR OUTDOOR SPACES CLEAN

Smoking litter causes parks and playgrounds to look dirty, and

clean-up expenses cost taxpayers.


Cigarette butts are the most littered product in the world.

Carelessly tossed cigarette butts and debris can start structural

and wildfires.


Toxic chemicals leaked from electronic vapor products are

harmful to the environment and wildlife.


SMOKEFREE PARKS PROTECT ​AGAINST SECONDHAND ​SMOKE EXPOSURE

There is no safe amount of exposure to secondhand smoke.

Secondhand smoke in outdoor public places can reach levels

as high as those in indoor facilities that permit smoking.

Breathing in secondhand smoke and ultrafine particles from

tobacco and vape products can lead to diseases and

premature death for people who do not smoke.


LET’S GO SMOKEFREE

In 2017, there were more than 1,530 municipalities in the US with parks that are smoke and vape-free.


Smoking and vaping tobacco in Southern Nevada‘s parks exposes visitors to more than 7,000 chemicals, with at least 70 of them ​known to cause cancer.


74.3% adults in Nevada support prohibiting smoking in parks, playgrounds, and other outdoor public spaces.

SOUTHERN NEVADA PARKS IN LAS VEGAS, NORTH LAS VEGAS, ​HENDERSON, AND CLARK COUNTY HAVE OVER:

40

urban recreation, community centers, and senior ​centers

69

aquatic facilities: pools, splash pads, water parks

28

skate parks

39

dog parks

280 PUBLIC PARKS

Smoke-free outdoor spaces reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and create ​healthier environments.

Many residents support policies that ban smoking in parks, playgrounds, and recreational ​areas, recognizing the benefits for families, pets, and the environment.

According to the 2022 Nevada Statewide Adult Tobacco Survey:

  • 53.4% of Nevada residents and 53.5% of Clark County residents support banning smoking ​and vaping in places where children are present, like parks and playgrounds.


  • 58.9% of Nevada residents and 60.3% of Clark County residents favor limiting the number ​of tobacco retail shops, especially near schools and parks.


  • 87% of Nevada residents and 88.4% of Clark County residents believe in protecting ​people from secondhand smoke exposure.

To Create Smoke-Free Outdoor Spaces:

Get Ready and Gather Information


Check if your team is ready and involve local partners. Find out who makes decisions about outdoor spaces, and gather information on current ​policies and community support. Use this data to create a clear policy proposal with enforcement plans.



Work with community members, the media, and decision-makers to build support. Once ready, formally present your policy request.



If the policy is approved, help with its implementation. Keep promoting the tobacco-free message at community events and through educational ​materials.

Build Support and Present Proposal

Implement and Promote

FOR FREE HELP TO QUIT SMOKING OR VAPING, ​CONTACT THE NEVADA TOBACCO QUITLINE!

1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)

Español: 1-855-DEJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569)

Text QUITNOW to 333888 ​Español: Envíe el texto DEJELOYA al 333888

nevada.quitlogix.org ​Español: nevada.quitlogix.org/es-es/