Second Hand Smoke

National
 
American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation (ANR) Releases Smoke-free Ordinance Data and Website on Smoke-Free Casinos
ANR has released data on the U.S. population protected by 100% smoke-free state or local laws. Across the U.S., 4,842 municipalities are covered by a 100% smoke-free provision in workplaces, and/or restaurants, and/or bars, by either a state or local law, representing 35.6% of the U.S. population. There are 31 states with local laws in effect and 11 states with state laws in effect that require 100% smoke-free workplaces and/or restaurants and/or bars. Relevant reports, tables, and maps are available at:
http://www.no-smoke.org/goingsmokefree.php?dp=d13|p140.

ANR has also announced the launch of a new web page focused on smoke free casinos and gambling facilities. Still in the construction phase, the site includes sections on worker health, economic impact, public opinion, and news. The site aims to be an all-inclusive casino-related resource to assist smoke free advocates and policymakers in dealing with casinos and their tobacco industry allies.
For more information, please go to:
http://www.no-smoke.org/goingsmokefree.php?dp=d12|p226.
Secondhand smoke and Casino fact sheet:
http://www.no-smoke.org/htmlpage.php?id=116
Casino employee and management statements of support for smoke free gambling:
http://www.no-smoke.org/htmlpage.php?id=115

States

Alabama: The Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) is a community-based group of teens. The youth-led coalition aims to educate the community about smoking using a variety of techniques. Their latest push is to warn and teach other teens about the dangers of environmental tobacco smoke. Their concern is based on the 35,000 people who die from ETS-caused heart disease, and the 3,000 who die from ETS-caused lung cancer every year. Additionally, children exposed to ETS have lower test scores in math, reading and problem-solving than those who are not exposed to ETS. More information on the group and their project is available at:
http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/
110898091525310.xml

Massachusetts: Results on the enactment of a comprehensive smoke-free workplace law in Massachusetts have been released by Harvard School of Public Health. Since the enactment on July 5, 2004, there has been no significant change in food sales, alcohol sales or employment rates at bars and restaurants. It is also notable that in restaurants and bars that previously allowed smoking, breathable air pollutants decreased by 93% since July 5th. Compliance with the state law has been quite high, at approximately 96%. The results are in accordance with findings of other such studies in New York, California, Delaware and Florida. For more information, please see
http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/Script/DisplayPressRelease.php3?Display=829
The following is a direct link to the study.
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/php/pri/tcrtp/Smoke-free_Workplace.pdf

North Carolina: Charlotte-based Paramount Parks has joined Disney and other amusement park owners in limiting areas where smokers can light up. Designated smoking areas have been established at all 5 of Paramount’s parks. Information is available at:
http://www.thrillnetwork.com/stories_view.php/908

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