Awareness about the benefits of smokefree spaces is high, and many states and cities have adopted smokefree workplace laws and clean indoor air acts in public buildings. But even as these policies protect workers, customers and other visitors, many more people–including children–are exposed to secondhand smoke in the home. In Oregon, property owners have voluntarily gone smokefree, and now the legislature is considering a bill that would require landlords to disclose, in writing, whether smoking is allowed in their buildings. In Vancouver, Washington, creating smokefree policies directly supports the city’s sustainability plan, which states: “A sustainable society must support the economy while protecting the environment and promoting social equity.” Smokefree policies accomplish all three.
The American Lung Association of Oregon is here at the Green Cities conference talking to city leaders about why and how to create smokefree housing–and other smokefree spaces–through voluntary action or policy change. This is the third phase of MG’s Public Will Building framework, transmitting information about what people can do about a problem, helping them become knowledgeable about the opportunities for change and where they can plug in. ALAO and the tobacco prevention movement have already moved through phase one, framing the issue, by shifting the tobacco discussion away from the tobacco industry’s “smokers rights” stand to a “right to breathe” position built on the science of health risks of secondhand smoke. In phase two, they successfully raised awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke and are now raising awareness of the risks of smoking at home. Now it’s time to create action and change.
ALAO is transmitting information through outreach at places like this conference, direct conversations with property owners, moblization of tenants to express their desire for smokefree living, legislative advocacy and tools for change, including a toolkit for property owners to help them go smokefree (http://www.lungoregon.org/tobacco/smokefree_housing.html). It’s a positive move for municipalities and property owners, since 75% of people prefer to live in smokefree housing, yet only 26% of renters live in a guaranteed smokefree environment (according to a Portland-area study). Creating smokefree policies is affordable, environmentally friendly, sustainable and legal.
Beyond housing, ALAO has resources to help cities create smokefree colleges, workplaces (including bars and restaurants), events and outdoor areas, and hospitals. As National League of Cities Director Ken Rosenfeld said, “Being green…is about managing resources, being fiscally responsible, looking out for the health and welfare of every citizen.” For cities working to promote green, sustainable, healthy living, expanding smokefree spaces is a logical and valuable step to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure and the environmental and health effects of tobacco use.
