ANR helps communities pass strong smokefree laws and fight Big Tobacco.
Our mission is to promote smokefree air through prevention education programs, information dissemination, technical assistance, training, and lobbying. We have decades of experience, and specialize in how to prepare for tobacco industry interference, build support locally, and pass effective smokefree laws.
Nashville Ordinance Effective March 1st
The much anticipated first local smokefree law in TN takes effect March 1st protecting the city's treasured musicians and fans from secondhand smoke! For the full details on the ordinance, the coolest signage ever designed and to support the local coalition visit our Nashville campaign page!
Happening Now
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Everyone deserves to be protected from harm in the workplace, and this includes being protected from exposure to deadly #secondhandsmoke. Are you or someone you know being exposed to secondhand smoke at work? Contact us: https://nonsmokersrights.org/contact-us
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CEASE GOES TO TRENTON!
On February 13, 2023, around 100 casino workers made the trip to Trenton to provide testimony and urge lawmakers to take immediate action to make their workplaces smokefree like every other NJ resident.
Smokefree Nashville Coming March 1st
The Nashville Metro Council approved the first local smokefree ordinance in Tennessee since preemption was repealed. The law will go into effect in March 1, 2023.
37.4% of U.S. Workers Are Not Protected From Secondhand Smoke.
The darker the state the healthier it is.
The others are not so healthy. In total, the states with lighter blue represent areas where many people are still unprotected from secondhand smoke in their workplace.
Who is At Risk?
Bar, Restaurant, and Casino Workers
Hospitality industry and casino workers still have the lowest level of smokefree protections and have the highest cancer rate of any occupational sector in America. Across the United States, only 58% of workers are fully protected by a local or state law requiring workplaces, and restaurants, and bars to be smokefree. That leaves more than 4 out of 10 workers still unprotected from the serious health risks caused by secondhand smoke.
Their stories are full of successes, as well as heartbreak.
Exposure Disparities Also Exist by Age, Income, Ethnic Group, and Home-Ownership Status
41% of Children
ages 3-11 are exposed to secondhand smoke and its harmful effects.
34% of Young People
ages 12-19 are affected by secondhand smoke.
21% of Those 20 Years and Older
are affected by secondhand smoke.
African Americans are Disproportionately Impacted
47% of Black Americans encounter secondhand smoke. That's twice as much as White Americans (22%) and Mexican Americans (24%).
You Can Make the Difference
As the public has learned more about the health dangers associated with secondhand smoke, people have supported smokefree polices as a way to address this easily preventable cause of premature death and chronic disease.
Cities and states without a smokefree law, or with a weak law that is not 100% smokefree in all workplaces, should take heed and pursue a smokefree law before more workers and residents are unnecessarily placed at risk for disease and possibly death as a result. It’s no longer a question of who will be next to go smokefree, but who will be last.
ANR is here to support smokefree campaigns nationwide. As smokefree campaigns progress, the tobacco industry and its allies will be watching your every move. Big Tobacco will be organizing its allies in the hospitality and gaming industries at this stage, but its activities are typically hidden from the public.
Above all, educate yourself. Forewarned is forearmed!
Do you have a secondhand smoke issue?
ANR Can Help
Our Other Sites
ANR FOUNDATION
Our sister organization, the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation (ANR Foundation), is a non-lobbying, educational nonprofit organization (501 (c) 3), which creates smokefree lists and maps, and provides information on issues of smokefree air and tobacco control. Our goals include educating the public about the health effects of secondhand smoke and the benefits of smokefree environments.
Protect Local Control
When a community's elected officials move to protect their citizens against the health hazards of secondhand smoke, the usually influential tobacco companies are suddenly powerless. So they try to close the door to local ordinances via preemption at the state level. ANR has a wealth of materials relating to preemption and local control to help citizens oppose this industry strategy.
Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights is the leading national lobbying organization (501 (c) 4) dedicated to nonsmokers' rights, taking on the tobacco industry at all levels of government, protecting nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke, and preventing tobacco addiction among youth. ANR pursues an action-oriented program of policy and legislation.