Secondhand Smoke

Reports

Smoking policies in the 35 busiest U.S. airports
According to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, as of April 2012, 27 out of the top 35 U.S. airports are 100% smoke-free indoors. This report lists the smoking policies of the 35 busiest airports in the United States. They are ranked in the order of total volume of passenger traffic. The top three airports listed are Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL; smoking permitted in designated smoking lounges), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD; completely smoke-free indoors), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX; completely smoke-free indoors). Click here to read the complete list of airports and smoking policies. Related: Click here to read about Denver International Airport’s efforts to move toward being smoke-free.

American Academy of Pediatrics and American Lung Association applaud new smoke-free housing toolkits from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Two new toolkits are now available from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), designed to help public housing authorities make their multi-family properties smoke-free. One toolkit is for managers of public housing authorities and the other toolkit is for residents of public housing. The American Lung Association, along with U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public and Indian Housing Sandra Henriquez, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard K. Koh, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, recently participated in a press conference to announce the release of the toolkits. A joint press statement with the American Academy of Pediatrics has been posted on the American Lung Association’s website. The toolkit and statement were released to serve as useful tools in any work being done at the state and local level to encourage public housing authorities to make their multi-family properties smoke-free. Click here to access the press release.

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State Policy

Smoking in long-term care facilities debated (CA)
Assembly member Wilmer Amina Carter proposed a smoking ban inside long-term nursing facilities in California. Proponents of the ban say that the patients residing at these facilities are elderly, frail and have weakened immune systems, and exposing them to secondhand smoke could be life threatening, especially to those with asthma, bronchitis, or other respiratory conditions. Opposition to this ban argued that patients who are longtime smokers would be forced to smoke outside, possibly during extreme weather conditions which could be hazardous. The debate continues as this bill was passed by the Senate Committee on Health, and now moves on to the Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations. Click here to read more. Click here to track bill AB 217.

No-smoking rules in state parks to take time (NY)
New York City banned smoking in state parks in April, but implementation of the ordinance will not take effect until later in the summer due to threats of a lawsuit. City officials will now have to undergo a formal rulemaking process before enforcement can begin. Parks officials continue to post no-smoking signs in picnic areas, around playgrounds, and pools regardless of the delay in implementing the smoke-free. Smokers are still legally able to smoke in parks and compliance by smokers is voluntary, but lawmakers hope that smokers will refrain from smoking in these designated areas in order to allow park goers to enjoy the parks free from secondhand smoke exposure. Click here to read more.

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