Parking garages provide a convenient and safe alternative to street parking for locals and visitors who come to Lancaster City. As part of an effort to continue to advance the health and well-being of the Lancaster community, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health partnered with the Lancaster Parking Authority (LPA) to develop a tobacco-free policy for all LPA facilities.
All LPA garages and offices are now tobacco and vape-free, resulting in the elimination of cigarette smoking, cigars, and use of electronic smoking devices, such as e-cigarettes or Juuls. To help educate the community about the new policies, signage has been posted throughout the six parking garages owned and managed by LPA.
“We want to lead by example and make clean air a priority in our facilities,” explained Larry J. Cohen, LPA executive director.
In early June, LPA and LG Health hosted a table outside the Prince Street Garages to distribute information on the new policy, as well as education on the impact of using tobacco and electronic smoking devices. To show their support for clean air, visitors were encouraged to take pictures with a photo frame and share their selfie with the hashtag #CleanAirLanc.
“A tobacco-free environment helps create a safer, healthier workplace,” said Alice Yoder, executive director of Community Health. “We are proud of LPA for making the commitment to improving the health and well-being of their employees and community members who use their facilities.”