Press Release

Columbia Celebrates One-Year Anniversary of Clean-Air Ordinance

Columbia, Mo. (Jan. 9, 2008) - Columbia citizens will gather to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the city's smoke-free ordinance today, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., at the Blue Note.

The event will feature a brief thank-you address by a representative of the community coalition Smoke-free Air For Everyone (SAFE), a cover-free concert by the Bait Shop Boys and complimentary refreshments. The event is open to the public and sponsored by SAFE and CASE.

"The scientific data is clear: Secondhand smoke causes significant health problems. Anyone who works indoors, teachers, dishwashers, nurses, clerks, waiters/waitresses, should not have to choose between making a living and breathing a cancer-causing substance," said Dr. Kevin Everett, CASE principal investigator and associate professor in the Department of Family & Community Medicine at the University of Missouri. "Numerous studies now show that there are short- and long-term health benefits to working in a smoke-free environment. Smoke-free workplace ordinances are easy to follow and improve quality of life."

The 2006 Surgeon General report concluded that secondhand smoke causes premature death and disease in non-smokers and the only way to protect them is to eliminate smoking in indoor spaces. The report was based on over 900 scientific studies, written by 22 national experts, each chapter was reviewed by 40 researchers, and the final study was reviewed by 30 independent scientists.

Research has shown significant improvements in community health after the implementation of smoking ordinances. After one year of working in a smoke-free environment, bartenders have better respiratory health, according to findings reported in Wisconsin’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Surveillance Brief. After the implementation of a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance (including bars, clubs and restaurants) in Monroe County, Ind., hospital admissions for heart attacks among non-smokers with no history of heart disease dropped by 70%, according to a recent study from the Journal of Drug Education. Similar results have been reported from Helena, Mont. and Pueblo, Colo.

About CASE: CASE is a group of leading researchers and experts on the health effects of secondhand smoke. CASE has expertise in addictions, health promotion, psychology, public health, strategic communication and project evaluation. The CASE team of professionals, in partnership with already existing statewide organizations, is working to improve the health of Missouri communities, complement existing tobacco control efforts, and build an infrastructure that can sustain successful programs for years to come. CASE is funded by a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health. For more information, visit the CASE website: http://www.casemo.org.