For Immediate Release:  December 7, 2007                                      

Home

News Releases

Contact: Mary Small, PHN - Public Information Officer - 509 886-6410

Anniversary of I-901 Finds Washington a Healthier Place to Live

December 8th will mark the 2nd anniversary of the implementation of initiative 901, which prohibited smoking in all public places and workplaces. Since the passage of I-901 or as it is now known the Smoking in Public Places Law, Washington is a healthier place to live and work. Indoor air pollution has significantly decreased, and many more people have made an effort to quit tobacco.

• During the last two years, thousands of service workers have been protected from secondhand smoke which contains a mixture of more than 4,000 chemicals – 50 of which are cancer–causing agents.
• Indoor air pollution monitored by the American Lung Association before and after the ban showed an 88% decrease in indoor air pollution.
• Many people decided to quit smoking. About one in five Quit Line calls stated the reason for their call was the implementation of the new law.
• About 250 people called the Tobacco Quit Line in Chelan and Douglas Counties from July 2006 to July 2007.

While excited about the progress and improved health seen over the last two years, one challenge remains. Areas outside set aside for smoking are not always being set up in compliance with this law. Smokers can still be found on occasion very near some building entrances. But…even these events are occurring much less often then the numbers reported last year.

Are You Ready to Quit?  Call 1 - 800 – QUIT NOW!

Public Health “Always Working for a Safer and Healthier Community”