Preventing Roll-Back of Smokefree Protections for Sitka, Alaska
Sitka, AK: On October 1, 2018, Alaska’s new smokefree statewide law will go into effect, bringing smokefree air to all Alaskans. However, one bar owner is trying to get his city of Sitka to opt out of the law, thereby rolling back protections for bar workers and patrons.
Unfortunately, the statewide smokefree bill was weakened at the last minute to include a “local opt out” provision that would allow cities to bring smoking and secondhand smoke back into workplaces and public places. “Opt-out” language is not a new idea or a local idea. It is a policy scheme hatched by Big Tobacco in the late 1990s/early 2000s to undermine public health protections that would eliminate exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and help reduce smoking rates. This flawed policy provision serves as an organizing structure for tobacco industry front groups and allies to undermine smokefree policies, divert public health resources, and prolong a sense of controversy on this important health policy issue. Tobacco industry front groups have peddled the “opt out” idea in numerous states over the years, but this is the first time it has made it into a statewide smokefree workplace law.
“Statewide smokefree laws should provide a strong floor of public health protection to everyone in the state – not cut holes in the floor for communities to fall through,” said Cynthia Hallett, ANR President and CEO. “People can’t opt out of breathing while in workplaces and public places.”
ANR is working with local health professionals to urge the Sitka Assembly to not leave anyone out. No Alaskan should have to sacrifice their health for a paycheck regardless of where they live. Every Sitka citizen deserves a smokefree environment where they work. Opt-out schemes leave people unprotected and create confusion for business owners and the public.
As of July 1, 2018, there are at least 976 U.S. municipalities and 27 states that do not allow smoking in all non-hospitality workplaces, restaurants AND bars. Many cities and states now recognize that it is important to protect public health from exposure to secondhand smoke.
Smokefree Alaska Bill Signed Into Law
Tuesday, July 17, 2018: It was standing room only as many of Alaska’s Smokefree Advocates gathered to celebrate the signing of the “Alaska Smokefree Workplace Law.” The new law goes into effect October 1, 2018, and will make all indoor workplaces and public places smokefree, including smoke or vapor from marijuana and e-cigarettes.
Alaska’s Smokefree Workplace Law Has the Potential to Save Lives but Last Minute Big Tobacco Provision Threatens Public Health
May 21, 2018
As a result of years of tremendous grassroots and volunteer support, the Alaska state legislature recently enacted a law to expand smokefree workplace protections statewide. Currently, 43% of the state population is protected by strong 100% smokefree workplace, restaurant, and bar laws at the local level.
Unfortunately the bill was weakened at the last minute to include a “local opt out” provision. The “opt-out” language is not a new idea or a local idea. It is a policy scheme hatched by Big Tobacco in the late 1990s/early 2000s to undermine public health protections that would eliminate exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and help reduce smoking rates. This flawed policy provision serves as an organizing structure for tobacco industry front groups and allies to undermine smokefree policies, divert public health resources, and prolong a sense of controversy on this important health policy issue. Tobacco industry front groups have peddled the “opt out” idea in numerous states over the years, but this is the first time it has made it into a statewide smokefree workplace law.
“Statewide smokefree laws should provide a strong floor of public health protection to everyone in the state – not cut holes in the floor for communities to fall through,” said Cynthia Hallett, ANR President and CEO. “People can’t opt out of breathing while in workplaces and public places.”
Everyone deserves the right to breathe smokefree air. Secondhand smoke is a top preventable cause of cardiovascular disease, stroke, lung disease, and cancer. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke and the Environmental Protection Agency classified secondhand smoke as a human carcinogen 25 years ago.
The Facts
100% SMOKEFREE WORKPLACE POLICIES ARE THE ONLY EFFECTIVE WAY TO ELIMINATE SECONDHAND SMOKE
Smokefree air has strong public support.
69% of Alaskans support a smokefree statewide law, with 72% wanting electronic smoking devices included in the law. 79% of residents also want marijuana smoking included.
