JAMES CITY COUNTY — James City County Parks & Recreation said it is committing to promoting 100% tobacco-free outdoor environments by partnering with Share The Air, a campaign by the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth and its youth-led movement, Y Street.
Share The Air aims to create tobacco-free parklands across the Commonwealth by supporting local parks and recreation departments in adopting voluntary, comprehensive tobacco-free and e-cigarette-free outdoor policies.
Currently, James City County Parks & Recreation said it encourages visitors to refrain from smoking, including e-cigarettes, within 25 feet of certain facilities like athletic fields, sports courts, playgrounds, and more.
This policy not only reduces tobacco and vape litter but also minimizes residents’ exposure to secondhand smoke and vape aerosol, it said, while promoting positive role modeling for youth who visit the county’s parks and outdoor recreational areas.
As part of its partnership with Share The Air, the department will receive free tobacco-free signage to post to remind park visitors of the policy.
“James City County Parks & Recreation’s mission is to work in partnership with citizens to ensure responsive programs, facilities, and open space which promote personal growth, social development, and healthy lifestyles” Park Director John Cornifax said. “Our participation in the Share the Air campaign to promote a smoke and vapor-free environment in our parks is an excellent example of another partnership that will educate and improve the health of our community, residents, and visitors.”
James City County Parks & Recreation notes it strives to create dedicated spaces that allow residents to be active, relax, and gather outdoors and joins the growing list of localities with tobacco-free and e-cigarette-free outdoor policies, becoming Share The Air’s 22nd partner.
For more information, visit the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth webpage and Y Street organization.
