Emerging environments for effective tobacco and smoke-free policies

INTRODUCTION: Public places and workplaces have been smoke-free in Washington since 2005. To further mitigate exposure to secondhand smoke, create environments where quitting is easier and to strengthen social norms of not smoking, Public Health- Seattle & King County is using CPPW funds to create new smoke-free and tobacco-free policies. The focus environments are used by youth and by populations with some of the highest rates of tobacco use - young adults, people of low-income and people receiving treatment for mental health issues or chemical dependency. These environments include parks, affordable housing, healthcare sites and colleges and universities.

METHODS: Public Health is using a variety of mechanisms to increase the number of smoke-free and tobacco-free policies in new sectors. Strategies include: competitive grants, community mobilization, media campaigns, a Board of Health resolution, expert technical assistance, sector-specific dialogues, cessation support and non-competitive grants for signage.

RESULTS: Anticipated project outcomes are over 6,000 units of smoke-free housing at housing authorities and other affordable providers, 22 city parks policies, 40 tobacco-free mental health and chemical dependency treatment agencies, up to ten tobacco-free hospitals and up to six smoke-free colleges and universities. We will describe progress and obstacles in implementing policies in these new environments.

DISCUSSION: Jurisdictions with smoke-free public places and workplaces can create more smoke-free and tobacco-free spaces in housing, parks, healthcare, and colleges and universities.