BPHC Marks 10-Year Milestone of a Smoke-Free Church Street Marketplace Policy

In 2014, Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace became smoke-free, marking a significant step towards enhancing public health and environmental sustainability. The initiative aimed to reduce secondhand smoke exposure and create a cleaner, more inviting space downtown. The policy resonated with community values and aligned with Burlington’s broader tobacco-free efforts, including similar measures at the University of Vermont and Champlain College. By eliminating smoking, the Marketplace has seen a noticeable reduction in litter from cigarette butts.

The smoke-free policy change was championed by BPHC and youth involved in our afterschool prevention groups, as well as the Church Street Marketplace Commission, and city officials.   Ten years later we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge how this policy has supported a healthier environment for Burlington kids to grow up in as well as contributed to the economic vitality of the downtown area.

Last month, Mariah and Evan took the Church Street to talk with passersby and connect with community members who helped champion this groundbreaking policy shift a decade ago.

Check out our short Youtube video; a 10-year lookback interviewing some of those changemakers who helped make the shift to a smoke-free marketplace.