ANR Applauds the Surgeon Common for His Management on the Concern, Whereas Emphasizing the Want for Stronger Smokefree Insurance policies
**Up to date Info 2/20/25**
Although the report was not too long ago faraway from the CDC web site, ANR has a number of assets accessible for you, together with our doc: “Highlights from the 2024 Surgeon Common’s Report: Key findings and proposals on the significance of smokefree indoor air to scale back well being disparities.” Entry these supplies right here.
Berkeley, CA — The U.S. Surgeon Common launched a complete report this morning that highlights continued progress in lowering smoking charges and secondhand smoke publicity whereas exploring the continued challenges that stay, particularly for marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by smoking-related harms. There are nonetheless vital gaps the place smokefree insurance policies are missing—corresponding to in casinos, multi-unit housing, and areas affected by the rising use of hashish.
“We applaud the Surgeon Common for his continued management in addressing the risks of smoking and secondhand smoke. This report underscores the persevering with want for complete smokefree legal guidelines that defend all Individuals—particularly susceptible communities,” stated Cynthia Hallett, President and CEO, Individuals for Nonsmokers’ Rights. “Whether or not in casinos or residence buildings, nobody needs to be uncovered to the dangerous results of secondhand smoke. We should proceed to push for insurance policies that guarantee clear air and equal safety for all.”
Key highlights from the report embrace:
- Important decline in smoking charges: Cigarette smoking amongst all U.S. adults has declined by greater than 70% since 1965.
- Disproportionate influence on marginalized teams: Low-income and marginalized communities stay disproportionately affected by tobacco-related harms. Publicity to secondhand tobacco smoke stays increased amongst Black individuals than amongst individuals in different racial and ethnic teams, and amongst individuals from decrease socioeconomic backgrounds.
- The necessity for complete smokefree insurance policies in casinos: Analysis exhibits that on line casino staff and patrons are uncovered to excessive ranges of secondhand tobacco smoke, placing their well being at severe threat. Research have documented harmful ranges of secondhand smoke in casinos, and on line casino staff undergo disproportionate well being dangers attributable to this publicity.
- Disparities in multi-unit housing: The chance of secondhand smoke infiltration stays in shared dwelling areas, the place tobacco smoke can journey between items, exposing non-smokers, together with youngsters, to dangerous ranges of secondhand smoke. This drawback is especially prevalent in sponsored housing, which serves thousands and thousands of low-income households. Smokefree insurance policies for multi-unit housing would cut back gaps in smokefree protections and cut back publicity to secondhand tobacco smoke.
- Rise of hashish smoke: The rise in hashish use and its legalization in lots of states has launched new challenges for smokefree insurance policies. Hashish smoke accommodates dangerous toxins and fantastic particulate matter just like tobacco smoke. Twin use of tobacco and hashish can also be growing, notably amongst Black and Hispanic populations.
- Help for native smokefree ordinances: Municipalities ought to proceed to have the power to go smokefree legal guidelines with out state or federal preemption. State and federal preemption of native ordinances threatens progress by stripping cities and counties of their skill to reply to rising public well being threats particularly in smoking and secondhand smoke publicity. Permitting for municipalities to enact complete smokefree insurance policies is essential for safeguarding public well being.
Extra on the importance of this report:
ANR Basis is closely cited (37 occasions) all through the report (see pages 548-560), and pages 551-552 characteristic a number of of our maps, created to indicate the development of legal guidelines over time. The report elevates and validates our work, highlighting how smokefree insurance policies have diminished tobacco-related disparities and emphasizing the necessity for complete protections that cowl all types of emissions together with e-cigarettes and hashish along with tobacco. It additionally underscores the significance of smokefree casinos as main workplaces and Tribal coverage progress. Lastly, it displays on the success of smokefree airplanes—a strong reminder of how worker-led actions like flight attendants and now on line casino staff with CEASE are carrying the torch ahead towards a smokefree future.
Learn the total report
Shopper information: This information supplies an easy-to-read overview of the Surgeon Common’s report and its findings. It additionally supplies an outline of smoking cessation assets. Obtain Shopper Information
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ABOUT AMERICANS FOR NONSMOKERS’ RIGHTS Individuals for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR), sister group to ANR Basis, is a member-supported, non-profit advocacy group that has been working for over 45 years, since 1976, to guard everybody’s proper to breathe unhazardous air in workplaces and public locations, from workplaces and airplanes to eating places, bars, and casinos. ANR has constantly shined a lightweight on the tobacco business’s interference with sound and life-saving public well being measures and efficiently protected 61% of the inhabitants with native or statewide smokefree office, restaurant, and bar legal guidelines. ANR goals to shut gaps in smokefree protections for staff in all workplaces, together with bars, music venues, casinos, and accommodations. For extra info, please go to and https://smokefreecasinos.org.
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