The Problem and What You Can Do

Tobacco addiction is a public health crisis.  In the US, smoking kills 400,000 smokers each year (5 million worldwide), and over 50,000 non-smokers through second hand smoke.  However, 40 years and tens of millions of deaths after the effects of smoking became known, people are still smoking.  That's due to the efforts of the tobacco companies to confuse the public about the risks, maintain positive associations with tobacco, prevent responsible regulation, and especially to addict children. 

Efforts to enact effective tobacco control in Pittsburgh had been preempted by state law.  As this Phillip Morris memo reflects, tobacco companies know they can't fight local communities, so they use state legislatures as "choke" points to thwart local regulation.  Fortunately, it was recently discovered that preemption was repealed years ago, which was overlooked due to a publishing error, so for the first time since 1988 local communities have the ability to choose to protect the health and well being of their workers and residents.

Here are some things you can do to help the cause of creating a healthy, smoke free city for all Pittsburghers:

• Keep informed.  We'll be posting links in the news section and also sending occasional updates through email.

• Contact the governor, state lawmakers, and local officials to let them know you support a strong state law requiring smoke free workplaces, but not if it includes preemption.

• Talk to your friends, family, and associates, and urge them to support a smoke free city!

• Join the email list of Smoke Free City supporters.

• Links to us!  The more we are linked to, the easier it will be to find us.  To avoid broken links, please only link to the home page

• Every time you eat at a restaurant, leave a table card.

• Put up a flyers in places you know interested people will see them.

• If you have room in your closet for an extra T-shirt, try one of these.  Baseball caps, tote bags and Frisbees, and bumper stickers are also available.

• Send us updates about smoke free restaurants, and good links.

• If you own a restaurant, go smoke free!