Colorado Celebrates Ten Years of Clean Indoor Air

Communities Still Working to Better Protect Coloradans’ Health

Jefferson County – July 1, 2016 marks the ten-year anniversary of the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act (CCIAA), a bipartisan state law designed to help protect Coloradans from exposure to secondhand smoke. The CCIAA went into effect on July 1, 2006, and prohibits smoking in most indoor public places such as restaurants, bars and workplaces.

While the CCIAA has helped to protect the health and safety of Coloradans, there is still more work to be done to protect everyone from exposure to secondhand smoke and the aerosol emitted by electronic smoking devices (ESDs), such as e-cigarettes. Exemptions in the state law still permit smoking and vaping in certain workplaces, such as cigar/hookah bars and retail tobacco businesses, and too many workers and patrons are still exposed to secondhand smoke and aerosol. Additionally, outdoor areas, such as restaurant patios, entryways, parks, playgrounds and trails, are not currently covered by the CCIAA. Studies show that exposure to outdoor smoke can rival exposure to indoor secondhand smoke and lead to negative health effects.

The U.S. Surgeon General states that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Nationally, secondhand smoke kills 41,000 nonsmokers each year. Despite gains made in tobacco prevention in years past, tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. and in Colorado. Nearly 500,000 deaths in the U.S. and 5,100 in Colorado can be attributed to smoking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoke-free laws protect everyone from the harms of secondhand smoke, support people in quitting tobacco and help prevent initiation of tobacco among youth.

The Tobacco-Free Jeffco Alliance is a group of community members, organizational partners, health advocates and tobacco prevention and control specialists working to reduce the toll of tobacco in Jefferson County and across Colorado. “We know that eliminating secondhand smoke and aerosol exposure is critical to protecting public health,” stated Alliance Co-Chair Dr. Lorrie Odom, MD. “The Tobacco-free Jeffco Alliance recommends communities adopt policies, such as strengthening smoke-free and vapor-free laws, in order to protect everyone from the dangers of being exposed to secondhand smoke or the aerosol from e-cigarettes.”

In an effort to protect people better, some Jefferson County communities have implemented local laws which make more workplaces and public places, including some outdoor public spaces, smoke-free. The cities of Arvada, Edgewater, Golden, Lakewood and Wheat Ridge have also prohibited the use of ESDs wherever smoking is not allowed. Community members are invited to get involved with the Tobacco-Free Jeffco Alliance to continue improving the health of our communities. Alliance Co-Chair Dr. Charmaine Brittain, MSW, Ph.D. states, “The Alliance joins with our community to make Jefferson County the healthiest place to live and bring up our children. We encourage our community members to get involved and help us make it so."

Jefferson County Public Health continues to work toward reducing the toll of tobacco in our communities through sustainable solutions to the problem of tobacco use and exposure. To learn more about current initiatives and how to get involved, please visit www.tobaccofreejeffco.com, email tobaccofree@jeffco.us,
or call 303-275-7555.

“I Am a Smoke-Free Zone”

Jefferson County Public Health is proud to help launch “I Am A Smoke-Free Zone,” a new education campaign with a focus on limiting children’s exposure to secondhand smoke. “The campaign’s message that children are “smoke-free zones” is important,” said Donna Viverette, JCPH Tobacco Prevention Initiative Supervisor. She also stated, “We know secondhand smoke is harmful to everyone and that children are often the innocent bystanders. This campaign reminds people to protect kids by not smoking around them and helping them to avoid others’ tobacco smoke as well.”

The campaign focuses on common myths about secondhand smoke:

1. The myth that blowing your smoke out a window or door prevents secondhand smoke exposure, 
2. The myth that ventilation in a home or car is a good strategy, 
3. The myth that room deodorizers can minimize risk, and 
4. The myth that if it’s not enough to smoke in another room, open windows, and get rid of the odor, then the only other option is to quit.

According to Viverette, “The only way to fully protect children against secondhand smoke is to make cars and homes 100% smoke-free and never smoke around children,” said Viverette.

In children aged 18 months or younger, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports secondhand smoke exposure is responsible for an estimated 150,000–300,000 new cases of bronchitis and pneumonia annually and approximately 7,500–15,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States.

For more information on how to protect children from secondhand smoke go to IAmASmoke-FreeZone.org or visit Tobacco-Free Jeffco online.

Quitting Tobacco and Avoiding Tobacco Smoke Saves Lives

An interest in improving health, the environment and safety has communities and businesses across the country working to protect everyone from the dangers of tobacco smoke. In Jefferson County, the JCPH Tobacco Prevention Program has implemented two new messaging campaigns designed to get people thinking about the harms of tobacco and tobacco smoke and to begin taking steps to live tobacco free and provide tobacco free environments for everyone.

“My Greatest Enemy” is being used by Jefferson County Public Health to highlight the harms and addiction of cigarette smoking and tobacco and the stories of those who fight back and win life’s battles. Many fight and survive depression, cancer, drug abuse and much more only to find themselves facing what may be an even greater enemy - tobacco addiction. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that more deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from illegal drug use, alcohol use, HIV, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined in the United States.

Look for “My Greatest Enemy” ads throughout the summer in local print publications, inside buses and on bus shelters. If you would like a “My Greatest Enemy” poster for your organization or business, please visit www.tobaccofreejeffco.com or contact Donna Viverette at 303-275-7555.

“We Share the Air!” is the title of the new health message campaign intended to inform Jefferson County residents about the harms of exposure to any amount of tobacco smoke in any environment, indoors and outdoors. The 2010 US Surgeon General report clearly states that even occasional, low levels of exposure to secondhand smoke is dangerous. “We Share the Air” emphasizes that secondhand smoke outside…is still secondhand smoke and is still dangerous.

Whether in your home or vehicle, at work, or while visiting outdoor public recreation areas, there is no risk-free level of exposure to tobacco smoke for anyone. By taking steps to protect yourself and others, you can reduce the risk of exposure and help to make the air we share healthier for all.

• My Greatest Enemy” and “We Share the Air” ads can be viewed at tobaccofreejeffco.com
• If you need help quitting cigarettes or any type of tobacco, please visit http://www.tobaccofreejeffco.com/how-to-quit.html or call 1-800-QUIT NOW. 
• For more information about the dangers of SHS and to get involved in tobacco prevention efforts, visit www.tobaccofreejeffco.com or contact Donna Viverette at 303-275-7555 or dviveret@jeffco.us
• View My Greatest Enemy news release
• View We Share the Air news release

New Teen Trend of Smoking Hookah Tobacco is Unhealthy

Hookah smoking lounges are opening in some Jefferson County communities that have not yet strengthened their smoke free laws.  Although state law prohibits the use of any form of tobacco, including hookah tobacco, for anyone under the age of 18, kids as young as 16-years old are encouraged to come in to some of these establishments, and are often enticed by the candy or fruit flavored tobacco and club-like atmosphere of these smoking lounges.

So, what exactly is “hookah”?  A hookah is a water pipe used to smoke flavored tobacco.  Many think that “smoking hookah” has no negative health effects.  The truth might surprise some, especially parents who have allowed their children to participate in this new trend.

There are many things that you should know about smoking hookah tobacco.  For more information on the facts, click here.  If you are looking for ways to help your teen make informed decisions, contact JCPH at 303-275-7555 or visit, www.jeffco.us/heath.

Smoke Free Environments Are Catching On

An interest in improving health, the environment and safety has communities and businesses across the State working to protect everyone from the dangers of tobacco smoke.  Recent local examples include the following:

In April, the City of Lakewood strengthened its smoke-free ordinance to include prohibiting smoking within 25 feet of all public entryways and around all playgrounds, swimming areas, skate parks, athletic fields, picnic shelters, tennis courts, and similar locations in outdoor areas.  Smoking is also prohibited on festival grounds or in places where people congregate to partake in city events or outdoor concerts. 

Denver International Airport (DIA) announced in May that it supports Denver Mayor Michael Hancock’s plans for creating a better, healthier Denver by moving toward becoming a smoke-free facility.  Creating a healthier environment for travelers and employees, the airport has closed all but one of its four indoor smoking lounges with plans to close the final lounge in 2018.

In June, the pedestrian and bike path along Clear Creek in the City of Golden was declared as smoke-free through administrative order by City Manager, Mike Bestor.  This action was taken primarily to address environmental and over use concerns but has sparked conversations regarding the desire for expanded smoke-free restrictions in outdoor areas.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.*  Smoke-free environments protect everyone.

• For more information or to get involved in tobacco prevention efforts in supporting smoke free environments, visit www.smokefreejeffco.com or contact Donna Viverette at 303-275-7555 or dviveret@jeffco.us.

* U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2006.

Protecting Youth from Tobacco

Preventing tobacco use among youth is a major focus of the JCPH Tobacco Prevention Initiative because tobacco use and the addiction that follows often begins in adolescence. Tobacco use is one of Colorado's most serious public health problems.  Find out what’s happening in Jefferson County around protecting youth from the harms of tobacco, consider joining a tobacco prevention community coalition in Lakewood, Golden, Unincorporated Jeffco or Wheat Ridge.  Call 303-275-7555 or visit any of the coalition web sites.

Quit for a Day…Quit for Life

If you’ve ever though about quitting tobacco, or know someone who is, now may be the time to make that change. The Great American Smokeout is Thursday, November 19th and Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) encourages all tobacco users, whether you smoke or use spit tobacco, to Quit for A Day or Quit for Life. This year the County is dubbing the day the “Great Smoke and Spit Out” to encourage those who using chew/spit tobacco to join the challenge to quit.

According to the American Cancer Society, people who have a plan for quitting DOUBLE the odds of staying quit forever. If you want to take the tobacco-free plunge – whether it’s for one day or for good, there are steps to take now that will help you prepare and significantly increase your chances for success.

JCPH, through the Tobacco Prevention team, is making information available to the community and employers about resources to help quit tobacco for the day or for life. We are also offering “Getting Ready to Quit” classes which are free, one-time, mini-workshops designed to help those thinking about quitting smoking or chewing tobacco to plan for success. There are 2 different sessions scheduled: one on Friday, November 13 from 6 – 8 pm at the Freedom Center (870 Kipling Street in Lakewood) and the other on Monday, November 16 from 6 – 8 pm at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center (8300 W. 38th Avenue, Conference Room F in Wheat Ridge.) To reserve a spot and for more information, call (303) 275-7565.

There are many other options to help support tobacco users who would like to quit. (Please see the list at the end for more information.) You may also visit the tobacco prevention page on the JCPH website, for the “9 Days to Prepare to Quit” plan, which provides information about the key steps to take to successfully quit for good. If you would like a free quit kit with educational materials to support the quitting process, call (303) 275-7509 or email fdjcisan@jeffco.us.

For a list of additional resources on quitting, check out our news release.