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Secondhand Smoke
Reports
Assessing compliance with smoke-free laws: A "how-to" guide for conducting compliance studies
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has released a new guide on implementation of surveillance and compliance systems for smoke-free air. The guide was a collaborative effort between the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease with input and feedback from the World Health Organization. The guide offers step-by-step information on how to assess compliance and how to analyze, present, and disseminate study results. Click here to read the compliance guide.
ANRF's updated smoke-free lists and maps now online
The Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation (ANRF) has updated its lists and maps of U.S. municipalities and states with smoke-free laws in effect as of July 1. The highlights include 468 municipalities that have smoke-free laws that apply to non-hospitality workplaces, restaurants, and bars. These laws protect 48% of the U.S. population. A total of 615 municipalities have laws that require bars and restaurants to be smoke-free, protecting approximately 64% of the U.S. population. Including newly enacted laws, 530 colleges and universities now have campus wide smoke-free policies as well. The full lists are available here.
Majority of Americans support public smoking bans
New data from a Gallup poll indicate that 59% of Americans support a ban on smoking in all public places. The survey results showed the strongest public support for smoke-free air laws since Gallup began asking that question on its polls in 2001. Despite the majority support for smoke-free public places, only 27 states have passed comprehensive smoke-free laws that prohibit smoking in bars, restaurants and other workplaces, according to the American Lung Association. Read more here.
Smoking bans: Where to light up (or not) on cruise ships
In June, three major cruise lines, Carnival, Princess, and Holland America, announced updates to their smoking policies. The cruise lines’ new policies will ban smoking in most public areas and all staterooms. The cruise lines are changing their policies in response to guest surveys showing that most cruise passengers are nonsmokers who prefer smoke-free travel. Many cruise lines have smoke-free policies that cover restaurants, theaters, corridors, elevators and most public areas. Click here to read the full article, which includes information about major cruise lines’ smoke-free policies.
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State Policy
Legislature again flicks away smoking ban (TX)
A bill that would have limited secondhand smoke exposure in public places has died in the Texas legislature. Senate Bill 28, which would have made smoking illegal in most indoor public places, did not make it to a vote. Bill supporter Representative Myra Crownover said the bill would lower Medicaid costs associated with treating secondhand smoke induced medical problems and would protect individuals who work and visit locations that currently allow smoking indoors. A representative from the Smoke Free Texas coalition has stated that smoke-free air advocates will continue to work in Texas until a comprehensive smoke-free policy is passed. Read more here.
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National Policy
HHS adopts tobacco-free facilities policy, protecting employees and setting example for government
On July 1, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adopted a 100% tobacco-free policy for all HHS campuses. To prepare for the implementation of the policy, HHS embarked on educational and promotional efforts earlier this year, and made tobacco cessation resources more easily accessible to employees by requiring employee health plans to provide comprehensive, barrier-free coverage of tobacco cessation treatment. According to a statement from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the new policy will not only protect workers from secondhand smoke exposure, but will also encourage employees to quit smoking. Click here to view the press release from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, or click here to view an HHS memorandum about the policy.
Navajo casinos exempt under smoking ban approved by Tribal Council (Navajo Nation)
The Navajo Nation’s Tribal Council has voted in favor of a smoke-free law that, if approved by tribal President Ben Shelly, will prohibit smoking in all public places on the reservation with the exception of tribal casinos. Smoking will be allowed in casino areas with slot machines and table games and anywhere else not specifically designated as nonsmoking areas. Proponents of the smoke-free policy loophole for casinos say that smoking is a personal right that should not be regulated by tribal government. They also claim that if smoking is allowed, more people will visit the casinos, in turn creating profits for the tribes. On the other hand, health advocates argue that involuntary secondhand smoke exposure should not be tolerated. The bill will now go to tribal President Ben Shelly, who has been supportive of enacting a more comprehensive smoke-free air policy for the tribe. While President Shelly has expressed opposition to the bill, he has not indicated whether he will veto it. Read more here.
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