HB 1136: Georgia Smoke-free Air Act; prohibit smoking and disposing of smoking products within a 25 foot radius of playgrounds and sandboxes

Georgia's Smoke-free Air Act of 2005 (O.C.G.A. Chapter 12A of Title 31) currently sets rules for smoking in enclosed public places like restaurants and bars, but it does not address outdoor areas like playgrounds or youth sports fields. This bill adds new protections for those outdoor spaces. The bill defines 'playground' as any park or recreational area with play equipment designed for children, and 'sandbox' as a designated children's play area within a public park. It then adds a new Code section making it illegal to smoke within 25 feet of a playground or sandbox, or within 250 feet of a youth sports event (any practice, game, or related activity involving athletes up to 18 years old). It also bans disposing of cigarette butts, cigar butts, or other tobacco waste within 25 feet of a playground or sandbox. The bill also adds a definition for 'youth sports event' and renumbers several existing definitions in the law.

• Adds a new definition of 'playground' covering parks, recreational areas with play equipment, and similar areas on school or government property.
• Adds a new definition of 'sandbox' as a designated children's play area within a public park, with its boundary set by fencing or surrounding safety material.
• Creates a new rule banning smoking within a 25 foot radius of any playground or sandbox area.
• Creates a new rule banning smoking within a 250 foot radius of any youth sports event, defined as practices, games, or related activities for athletes 18 or younger.
• Bans disposing of cigarette butts, cigar butts, or other tobacco waste within 25 feet of a playground or sandbox.

Smokers who use tobacco or vaping products near public parks, playgrounds, or youth sports fields; parents and children who use these spaces; youth sports organizers and leagues; and local governments and school districts that maintain playgrounds and park facilities.

If enacted, smokers would need to move at least 25 feet from playground equipment or sandboxes and 250 feet from youth sports practices and games, changing where people can legally smoke in public parks and near school and recreation facilities across Georgia.

• Section 1 revises and renumbers definitions in O.C.G.A. § 31-12A-2, adding new definitions for 'playground,' 'sandbox,' and 'youth sports event.'
• Section 2 creates new Code Section 31-12A-14, prohibiting smoking within 25 feet of playgrounds or sandboxes and within 250 feet of youth sports events.
• Section 2 also prohibits disposing of cigarette or cigar butts and other tobacco waste within 25 feet of playgrounds or sandboxes.
• Section 3 repeals any existing laws that conflict with the new provisions.

1. 2026-02-04House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-03House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-02House Hopper (House)

• Lydia Glaize (D, HD-067)Primary sponsor
• Carmen Rice (R, HD-139)
• Lehman Franklin (R, HD-160)
• Billy Mitchell (D, HD-088)
• Al Williams (D, HD-168)
• Miriam Paris (D, HD-142)

• smoking ban
• youth sports
• playground safety
• public health
• tobacco regulation