The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #41381

Lisa Lineberger¹, Joanna M. King, JD¹, Regina el Arculli, MA², and Jamie F. Chriqui, PhD, MHS¹. (1) Health Policy and Legislative Analysis Program, The MayaTech Corporation, 8737 Colesville Road, 7th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3921, 301-587-1600, llineberger@mayatech.com, (2) Office of Policy Analysis and Response, National Cancer Institute, Building 31, Room 10A-48, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2580, Bethesda, MD 20892-2580

During the 1990's, public health officials and state policymakers concerned with tobacco control focused their efforts on stemming youth access to tobacco products. To that end, state legislatures continue to enact and debate laws that restrict the sale, purchase, possession, and use of tobacco products involving minors. During that same time, and following reported scientific evidence of the dangers of environmental tobacco smoke exposure, the public health community increasingly emphasized the importance of protecting individuals from the effects of environmental tobacco smoke. In response, state legislatures have enacted clean indoor air laws which prohibit or restrict smoking/tobacco pollutants in both public and private indoor environments.

Specific to youth exposure to environmental tobacco, a 1992 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report produced evidence that children who are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke are at risk for illnesses, including asthma, respiratory tract infections and middle-ear disease. In this presentation, we look at state legislatures' response to such evidence and analyze the scope of state laws that seek to provide protection, specifically to youth, from the effects of environmental tobacco smoke. We will identify and examine smoking restrictions in indoor settings frequented by youth, such as home and commercial child care facilities, public and private schools, and recreation facilities.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to describe the nature and extent of state clean indoor air laws that specifically target locations frequented by youth.

Keywords: Tobacco Control, Public Health Policy

Related Web page: www.scld-nci.net

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The data presented in this paper are from the National Cancer Institute's State Cancer Legislative Database Program (no conflict of interest).
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.