Policy advocating and working together to take back the air

The 2006 Surgeon General's Report on the Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke concluded that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Increasingly, community surveys show widespread support for no smoking in public places and many states have 100% no smoking laws. However, there is need for continued policy advocation in states with limited or no legislation. Of critical importance is outreach to special populations made vulnerable by competing exposures. This local community partnership group continues its advocacy to engender more support for a smokefree environment, by using a multi-faceted outreach approach. While some residents took the EPA smoke free pledge – not to smoke in their homes or cars to protect others; other program participants got referrals for help with quitting. Furthermore, given that a picture is worth a thousand words, collaborators have used drama/skits to convey and persuade audiences on salient points/benefits of smokefree air. Active participants included community, elementary school/college students, legislators, county/community leaders, and public health personnel. During Martin Luther King Day Celebrations, 275 program participants were reached with PSAs on smokefree air, cost of smoking, help to quit; and a 21-point I-Have-A-Dream smokefree bulletin was shared with certain participants. Regional attendees included opinion leaders, gatekeepers and mass media, whose input is critical in the impetus for smokefree air. Although smokefree protection for workers is increasing, those in food preparation/service occupations are significantly less protected than others! Thus, an ongoing initiative targets both smokefree and other hospitality and service industry settings.