ACCELERATING NATIONAL COMMUNITY HEALTH OUTCOMES THROUGH REINFORCING PARTNERSHIPS

SMOKE FREE ATLANTA COALITIONAIMS TO CLEAR THE AIR

I know several musicians who died from lung disease and other complications from inhaling smoke, but they did not smoke. Secondhand smoke kills.”

– Lewis McTush, Atlanta Blues Society

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Smoke-free environments ensure everyone is protected from the health dangers of tobacco. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states all secondhand smoke is harmful – there is no safe level of exposure. In 2005, Georgia passed the Smoke-free Air Act, which prohibited smoking inside most public places and work sites. But the law provides for some exemptions, including designated areas inside international airports, and restaurants and bars that do not allow entrance to anyone under 18. The American Heart Association has galvanized an alliance of local businesses, interest groups and health advocates into informing the public about the dangers of secondhand smoke. The newly formed Smoke Free Atlanta Coalition is raising awareness about the importance of smoke-free air to protect workers, customers and others who continue to be exposed to secondhand smoke in bars, restaurants and other public places in Atlanta.

Smoking leads to more than 480,000 premature deaths each year in the United States. Nearly 42,000 of those deaths are from exposure to secondhand smoke, which contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic. There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure. The Smoke-free Air Act passed in 2015 by the Georgia legislature still permits smoking in bars and restaurants, as long as those establishments prohibit minors. That leaves thousands of residents vulnerable to health problems related to smoking, which is blamed for more than 10,000 adult deaths in the state every year. In addition, smoking in Georgia also is linked to about $1.8 billion in healthcare expenses and $3.2 billion in lost productivity costs every year. The state’s capital, Atlanta, is the county seat of Fulton County, where more than 509,000 patrons and employees are exposed to secondhand smoke at bars, restaurants and other public places.

The Challenge

ANCHOR

Work made possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The American Heart Association’s Accelerating National Community Health Outcomes through Reinforcing (ANCHOR) Partnerships Program is supporting healthier living in communities around the country. In Fulton County, the ANCHOR leadership team has brought together a group of volunteers, community leaders and organizations from health, education and business interests to create the Smoke Free Atlanta Coalition. The coalition is raising awareness about the dangerous impact tobacco smoke has on people’s health, regardless of the amount. Whether a few minutes or a few hours inside a smoke-filled bar or restaurant, any exposure to secondhand smoke puts individuals at greater risk of developing lung cancer, heart disease and other illnesses attributed to secondhand smoke.

The Solution

When the American Heart Association’s ANCHOR team helped create the Smoke Free Atlanta Coalition, it united a diverse group of forces intent on educating the public about the benefits of having smoke free environments. Coalition members including the Atlanta Blues Society, Smoke Free Rights for All, Georgia Institute of Technology, American Cancer Society, and Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids have engaged in activities to increase awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke. They have drafted letters of support, participated in community outreach events, recruited volunteers and collected pledge cards; the coalition’s work is laying the foundation that will clear the air of tobacco smoke.

Results

Sustaining SuccessSince forming in June 2016, the coalition has met monthly to keep on top of its goal of supporting smoke-free environment in Atlanta. It continues to recruit volunteers who can show support. Coalition members also have handed out flyers at various events throughout the community and on college campuses. They continue to actively gather pledges of support online and in person, and are working on a social media campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke.

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Policy, System and Environmental ChangeThe formation of the Smoke Free Atlanta Coalition has created a systems change by cultivating community support for a smoke free environment. By raising public awareness about the dangers of smoking, the coalition has helped advance a culture where all residents have the ability to breathe clean air in all indoor environments.

Get InvolvedAll Fulton County residents are encouraged to pledge their support online or learn more by contacting the Smoke free Atlanta Campaign www.heart.org/smokefreeatlanta.