Smoke Free Chattanooga

A Decade of Broken Promises

Fri, 29 May 2009 13:28:00-0400

10 years after the Tobacco Settlement of 1998, TN is still not using their settlement dollars as they should. Tennessee ranks 40th in the nation as far as dollars spent, and is only spending 8.5% of what the CDC recommends. Read on for the full report: http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports/settlements/state.php?StateID=TN

Tobacco Use in Hamilton County Report

Fri, 29 May 2009 10:29:00-0400

With TN so far behind in the war on tobacco, it's important to know where we as a community stand. A January 2008 report, breaks it down: http://health.hamiltontn.org/docs/CHS/Newsletter%20Jan08%20Tobacco.pdf

Why is TN so far behind in the tobacco war?

Wed, 20 May 2009 10:27:00-0400

Let's face it: TN is losing the war on tobacco. Besides being a tobacco growing state, two of our 5 metro areas rank in the top 10 smokiest cities in the country! A 1998 multibillion-dollar settlement with the tobacco companies should be providing all the funds we need to wage a large-scale attack. So why are we still so far behind? Because that money in TN isn't being used as it should. Read on: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/apr/24/tennessee-losing-smoking-war/

Chattanooga Ranks in Top 10 Smokiest Cities in the U.S.

Wed, 20 May 2009 10:21:00-0400

A recent report in U.S. News & World Report listed Chattanooga as one of the Top 10 Smokiest Cities in the U.S. Chattanooga tied for the 7th Smokiest City with Wilmington, N.C., both of which have smoking rates of 26.5%. For the full list, please copy and paste the link below into your browser. http://www.usnews.com/mobile/articles_mobile/10-smokiest-us-cities--and-10-most-smoke-free-too/index.html

World No Tobacco Day Free Poster!

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:56:00-0400

World No Tobacco Day is Sunday, May 31st, 2009. Click the link below for a FREE poster that promotes the event and gives a visual representation of the dangers of tobacco use. Check it out! http://www.who.int/tobacco/resources/publications/wntd/2009/materials/wn td09_poster_teeth_en.pdf

Make Area Festivals Smoke-Free

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:22:00-0400

Most parents would say they hope to keep their children from using tobacco, but do we go far enough in protecting our kids from addictive and deadly tobacco products? We might tell them not to not use tobacco, but we take them into situations, including community festivals, where they are exposed to secondhand smoke, wrong role models, and big-budget tobacco marketing.

As World No Tobacco Day approaches May 31st, let our attention be towards creating an environment where kids can learn the dangers of tobacco and gain the skills to hang tough against marketing and peer pressure. Events like public festivals provide perfect entrées.

Tobacco remains the number one preventable cause of death and the time to prevent it is now. We can insist that organizers of community events adopt a zero-tolerance tobacco policy. This means posting signs and enforcing a smoking and spit tobacco bans on-site at public festivals.

Tobacco use can be prevented, but it won't happen if our children are continually exposed to messages promoting tobacco use. Join Smoke Free Chattanooga in support of tobacco-free policies at Chattanooga's great public festivals. Urge organizers, volunteers, and festival-goers to assure a healthier community by providing an environment all can enjoy. Working together, we will all breathe a little easier.

New Resource

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 10:34:00-0400

A new resource has been listed under the "Links" tab. GoingSmokeFree.org is a great web resource that gives step by step instructions and tools for implementing a smoke-free workplace at your place of business. Visit the site to download customizable "No Smoking" signs and more!

Great Article on Smoke Free Workplaces!

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:13:00-0400

Hi all! Below is a great article on smoke-free workplace initiatives from the New York Times. Looks like things are moving in the right direction!

**Click "Download" below to view article

New Resources Added

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:12:00-0400

Copies of the TN Non-Smoker's Protection Act and the power point presentation given by Hugh Atkins on the 25th of September on Implementing the Ban are now available on our website. Please click on Data and Statistics to find this information, and more.

Non-Smoker's Protection Act Implementation Breakfast a Success!

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:46:00-0400

Smoke Free Chattanooga's Implementation Breakfast was a huge success! About 40 people joined us at Southern Star on September 25 to hear Hugh Atkins from the Dept. of General Environmental Health speak on implementing the new smoking ban in workplaces. The information shared included general information aabout the Non-Smoker's Protection Act as well as details on what non-exempt businesses need to do to comply with the Act come October 1st.

A huge thanks to all who participated in this event, especially Hugh Atkins for speaking, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce for co-sponsoring, and Southern Star Restaurant for hosting!

We are days away from implementing this landmark piece of legislation that is sure to improve the health of all Tennesseans. What an exciting time this is!

*If you were unable to attend the breakfast, a copy of Hugh's power point will be available on this website shortly under "Data and Statistics".*

Welcome to Smoke Free Chattanooga's Website!

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 14:53:00-0400

Welcome to Smoke Free Chattanooga's new website! We hope this site is a resource and an interactive experience.

Great progress was made in 2007, with Tennessee's Non-Smoker Protection Act. Thank you for any support you may have given in this effort. Implementation of the law will be a priority for coming months. But we have a long way to go to reduce the health and financial consequences of tobacco in our state and local area.

Smoking among adults in Tennessee is still 3rd highest in the nation. Youth smoking (26.3%) is also higher than most states.

We can do better. We hope you will join us in advocating for progressive tobacco policies and legislation to improve the environment of public places for the protection of all. Coalition activities and updates will be posted here.

Get involved on whatever level you are able. It does make a difference.

Meanwhile, enjoy the cleaner air in area restaurants, workplaces, and other indoor public spaces!

Jay Collum, Chair

Smoke Free Chattanooga

209-8285