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Secondhand Smoke
Research
Strategies implemented by 20 local tobacco control agencies to promote smoke-free recreation areas, California, 2004-2007 (CA)
According to an article published in Preventing Chronic Disease, California has enacted effective policies and ordinances to protect residents from secondhand smoke. Evaluation reports from 2004 through 2007 on the adoption of local smoke-free policies in outdoor recreational facilities were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of different strategies for getting a policy enacted. The results show that six strategies were most effective, including, 1) having someone to carry the objective forward, 2) tapping into youth volunteers, 3) collecting and using local data as a persuasive tool 4) educating the community on smoke-free policy efforts, 5) working strategically in the local political climate, and 6) framing policies appropriately. The authors suggest that others seeking to advance local smoke-free policies should utilize these strategies to increase their chances of success. Read more here.
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Reports
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 October 7, 2011. The highlights include 479 municipalities that have smoke-free laws that apply to non-hospitality workplaces, restaurants, and bars. These laws protect 48.5% of the U.S. population. A total of 628 municipalities have laws that require bars and restaurants to be smoke-free, protecting approximately 64.4% of the U.S. population. Including newly enacted laws, 586 colleges and universities now have campus wide smoke-free policies as well. The full lists are available here.
Smoke-free policies in multi-unit housing: Steps for success curriculum
The American Lung Association worked with experts around the United States to develop this online curriculum on how to implement a smoke-free policy in multi-unit housing properties like apartments and condominiums. By taking this course, participants will have the information and tools to: communicate the health and economic impact of secondhand smoke in multi-unit housing; engage with building managers, property owners, policymakers, residents and other stakeholders to adopt smoke-free multi-unit housing policies; plan and implement a successful smoke-free multi-unit housing policy; and identify resident rights and responsibilities, as well as options for providing services to help smokers quit. Click here to learn more.
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State Policy
New college campus tobacco policy signed into law (CA)
California Governor Jerry Brown has signed legislation that will empower college campuses to enforce state smoke-free laws, as well as any tobacco use or smoking regulations adopted by individual campuses or school systems. Specifically, the law will allow the three state college and university systems to collect smoking fines and inform employees and students about smoke-free policies. The funds collected through fines may be used for enforcement and education about smoke-free policies and tobacco cessation programs. The law will go into effect January 1, 2012. Learn more about AB 795 by clicking here and read more from the American Lung Association in California here.
Florida prisons ban smoking (FL)
In an effort to make prisons healthier places for both inmates and employees, the state of Florida has made all prisons smoke-free, stopped selling tobacco products in its canteens, and has classified tobacco products and paraphernalia as contraband. The policy is expected to reduce the number of inmates who are hospitalized for tobacco-related illnesses such as cancer and emphysema, which last year cost Florida taxpayers $8.7 million. Department of Corrections spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger says that the state will not lose money from inmate purchases by banning the sale of cigarettes in the canteens; in states that have enacted similar policies, inmates continued to spend their money on other products such as candy. Learn more by clicking here.
Kentucky lawmaker to propose statewide smoking ban (KY)
With backing from a coalition of health and business organizations, a Kentucky lawmaker has announced that she will introduce legislation in 2012 that would make public places in Kentucky smoke-free. Representative Susan Westrom testified to the interim joint Health and Welfare Committee this month that public support for smoke-free air is strong, and that the state should build on the momentum of local smoke-free policies that have passed in cities like Louisville and Lexington. Others testifying in support of the smoke-free policy included the president of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, a cardiologist, and a county public health department director. Click here for more details. The Smoke-Free Kentucky coalition is working to raise awareness about smoke-free air and advocate for the smoke-free policy in the coming year. Learn more about Smoke-Free Kentucky here.
Boston public housing to go smoke-free (MA)
All public housing in Boston will become smoke-free in 2012, making Boston’s public housing authority the largest in the nation to adopt a 100% smoke-free policy to date. The policy, which has been approved by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, will protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke. Read more here.
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