The foremost smoke free group in the nation, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, announced that as of January 2, 2008 62

Handsel Art

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 30 December 2007

For Immediate Release

Contact: J.R. Few at

(870) 427-1365 or email

Tobacco Free New Year

The foremost smoke free group in the nation, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, announced that as of January 2, 2008 62.8% of the U.S. population is protected by a comprehensive smoke free law. While the national trend toward smoke free air advances even into outdoor venues, flaws of exemption in Arkansas’ laws preclude recognition from national tobacco free groups. Policy exemptions from tobacco free space do not reduce the hazard.

Local advocate, J.R. Few notes, “Public health efforts like tobacco free parks in Mountain Home and Harrison and Marion County’s smoke free buffer around county buildings are significant because local policy makers recognize the popular demand for a challenge to tobacco.”

The 2006 U.S. Surgeon General’s report stated,” There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.” The California EPA has classified secondhand smoke as a Toxic Air Contaminant, both inside buildings and out.

Tobacco-Free Marion County program coordinator Julie Andersen shares, “I have renewed optimism for policy makers’ understanding the science and economics of tobacco prevention in the new year. It would be nice if public health advocates had the same access to legislators that tobacco lobbyists do.”

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