Background and Need for a Tobacco-Free Parks/Beaches Policy

Background and Need for a Tobacco-Free Parks/Beaches Policy

Background and Need for a Tobacco-Free Parks/Beaches Policy Tobacco use #1 cause of preventable death and disease Secondhand smoke (SHS) is a health hazard with no safe level of exposure (U.S. Surgeon General, 2006) SHS Health Impact: respiratory, cardiovascular, cancer, and developmental effects >4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, ~60 are carcinogenic >400 chemicals in smokeless tobacco, ~20 are carcinogenic Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarette smoking and causes significant death and disease

Background and Need for a Tobacco-Free Parks/Beaches Policy Exposure to SHS in outdoor environments has negative health effects Levels of SHS exposure outdoors can reach levels attained indoors depending on the direction and amount of wind and number and proximity of smokers Irritation from SHS begins at levels as low as 4 micrograms per cubic meter, and in some outdoor situations this level can be found as far away as 13 feet from the burning cigarette Smoking cigarettes near building entryways can increase air pollution levels by more than two times as compared to background levels, with maximum levels reaching the hazardous range on the US EPA s Air Quality Index

Background and Need for a Tobacco-Free Parks/Beaches Policy Exposure to SHS in outdoor environments has negative health effects continued: Studies on a cruise ship have found that even while cruising at 20 knots and with unlimited air volume, outdoor smoking areas contained carcinogens in nearly the same amounts as inside the ship s casino where smoking was allowed To be completely free from exposure to SHS in outdoor places, a person may have to move nearly 25 feet away from the source of the smoke, about the width of a two-lane road

Background and Need for a Tobacco-Free Parks/Beaches Policy Tobacco use in outdoor areas where youth recreate sends a negative health message Tobacco-Free policies reduce the number of youth who begin using tobacco by demonstrating a tobacco-free community norm

Background and Need for a Tobacco-Free Parks/Beaches Policy Littered cigarette butts pose a health risk to young children In 2009, American poison control centers received nearly 8,000 reports of children poisoned by the ingestion of cigarettes, cigarette butts, and other tobacco products Children who ingest cigarette butts can experience vomiting, nausea, lethargy, and gagging

Background and Need for a Tobacco-Free Parks/Beaches Policy Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the United States and have a negative impact on the environment Largest source of outdoor pollution Americans discard more than an estimated 175 million pounds of cigarette butts every year Cigarette butts are frequently discarded onto sidewalks, streets, beaches, and nature trails, and in parks, gardens and other public places, ending up in storm drains that flow into the water supply Cigarette filters, made of plastic cellulose acetate, are not biodegradable and take approximately 15 years to decompose

Background and Need for a Tobacco-Free Parks/Beaches Policy Discarded cigarette butts pose a fire risk Cigarette butts and tobaccorelated litter are costly to clean up

Local Public Support for Tobacco-Free Parks and Beaches Bay Area Recycling for Charities Asthma Coalition of Northwest Michigan Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council Leelanau County Solid Waste Council Leelanau County Family Coordinating Council Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department Grand Traverse County Health Department Catholic Human Services Great Start Collaborative Goodwill Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay American Lung Association United Way of Northwest Michigan

Raising Awareness about Tobacco-Free Parks and Beaches Community beach, park, and city clean-up events

Raising Awareness about Tobacco-Free Parks and Beaches Health Fairs and Special Events prevention education Cigarette Butt Collection Display Bay Day 2012, Traverse City

Partial List of Michigan Jurisdictions with Smoke-Free or Tobacco-Free Park and/or Beach Policies Greenville City of Sault Ste. Marie Kinross Charter Township City of Traverse City Grand Traverse County City of Escanaba Grand Haven Township Bath Township Village of Middleville Village of Newberry Howell Ottawa County Portage Holland Township Ingham County Parks Lansing Township Parks City of Houghton Village of Dexter City of Vassar City of Bad Axe

Authority to Adopt a Tobacco-Free Parks/Beaches Policy The State of Michigan has granted and declared counties or cities the power to legislate in the protection of the public health and for the safety of persons and property It is in the purview of the authority of a County Commission or City Council to restrict smoking and the use of tobacco products on public property Both townships and villages have the authority under state law to adopt ordinances and regulations There is no Constitutional right to smoke or use other tobacco products

Resources available Model policy developed by the Smoke-Free Environments Law Project (SFELP) Sample signage Technical support and consultation from SFELP attorneys MDCH Quitline 1-800-784-8669

Enforcement Education Clear and adequate signage Public and staff participation (i.e. ask violator to comply with policy) Model policy includes sample enforcement language to be adapted locally

Examples of Signage

Summary of Benefits of a Tobacco-Free Parks/Beaches Policy Protect workers and the public from SHS exposure Protect young people, pregnant women, older persons, and persons with special health needs from SHS exposure Protect young children from dangers associated with tobacco-related litter Model healthy behavior for young people Protect the natural environment Promote clean water Aligns with Pure Michigan campaign promoting tourism Reduce fire risk Reduce maintenance costs Promotes tobacco reduction and cessation opportunities