HB1136: HB1136 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. § 31-12A-1 et seq.) currently focuses on smoking bans in enclosed public places like restaurants, bars, and sports arenas. This bill would extend the law to certain outdoor spaces used by children. It adds new definitions for 'playground,' 'sandbox,' and 'youth sports event,' then creates a new Code section, O.C.G.A. § 31-12A-14, that prohibits smoking within 25 feet of any playground or sandbox and within 250 feet of any youth sports practice, game, or related activity involving athletes up to age 18. It also bars people from disposing of cigarette butts, cigar butts, or other tobacco waste within 25 feet of a playground or sandbox. The bill repeals any conflicting laws but does not state a separate effective date beyond the standard process for new legislation.

• Adds definitions for 'playground,' 'sandbox,' and 'youth sports event' to the Georgia Smoke-free Air Act's definitions section (O.C.G.A. § 31-12A-2).
• Creates a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 31-12A-14) banning smoking within a 25 foot radius of any playground or sandbox.
• Bans smoking within a 250 foot radius of any youth sports practice, game, or related activity involving athletes 18 or younger.
• Prohibits disposing of cigarette butts, cigar butts, or other tobacco related waste within 25 feet of a playground or sandbox.
• Repeals any existing state laws that conflict with these new restrictions.

Smokers and vapers who use playgrounds, sandboxes, parks, or areas near youth sports events; parents and children who use these spaces; coaches and youth sports organizers; and local governments or park managers who may need to post or enforce the new smoking limits.

Georgians would no longer be able to smoke or vape near playgrounds, sandboxes, or youth sporting events, and littering tobacco waste near play areas would become illegal. This changes everyday behavior in public parks and at children's sports activities across the state.

• Section 1 revises and renumbers definitions in O.C.G.A. § 31-12A-2 and adds new definitions for 'playground,' 'sandbox,' and 'youth sports event.'
• A 'playground' is defined as any park or recreational area designed for children with play equipment, including school or government park grounds.
• A 'sandbox' is defined as a designated play area in a public park for children under five, with its boundary set by fencing or the edge of a safety surface.
• A 'youth sports event' is defined as any practice, game, or related activity organized by any entity involving athletes up to 18 years old.
• Section 2 adds new O.C.G.A. § 31-12A-14, banning smoking within 25 feet of playgrounds or sandboxes and within 250 feet of youth sports events.
• Section 2 also bans disposing of cigarette butts, cigar butts, or other tobacco waste within 25 feet of a playground or sandbox.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting state laws.

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
• public health
• playgrounds
• youth sports
• tobacco regulation