Agenda

• Rationale for tobacco free parks

• Omaha Tobacco-Free Parks Initiative Overview

• Looking Forward

• Q & A

Tobacco-Free Parks

Tobacco-free parks are a growing trend across the country. As more Americans are afflicted by chronic disease than ever before, many of the best treatments for chronic disease comes from changing lifestyles.

National Health Statistics

• Seven out of 10 deaths among Americans each year result from chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Many of these are a result from tobacco or exposure to secondhand smoke.

• Nearly half of American adults suffer from at least one chronic illness.

Top 10 Reasons for Tobacco-Free Parks1. Parks are established to promote healthy

activities.

2. Secondhand smoke harms everyone, and it is still harmful in outdoor settings.

3. Cigarette litter is dangerous (for human and animal health).

4. Cigarette litter could cause fires and damage public and private property.

5. Tobacco-free policies help change community norms.

6. Most residents of Douglas County (86%) support tobacco-free park and recreation policies. In addition, 96% of those surveyed believe that smoking should be restricted at outdoor sporting events.

7. Policies provide consistency among community athletic facilities and groups.

8. Policies reduce litter and maintenance costs.

9. Tobacco-free environments promote positive community role modeling and protect the health, safety, and welfare of community members.

10. Tobacco-free policies help break the connection between tobacco and sports.

Omaha Tobacco-Free Parks Initiative Overview

Parks Should Promote Healthy Activities

Tobacco-free policies fit with this idea

Cigarette & Tobacco Litter

Discarded cigarettes:

•Pollute the land and water

•Can be ingested by toddlers, pets and wildlife

•Can diminish the aesthetics of public parks and natural habitats

•Result in additional maintenance expense

Secondhand Smoke is Dangerous

•Secondhand smoke is a human carcinogen. There is no safe level of SHS exposure and it has immediate health consequences.

•According to Repace Association, secondhand smoke levels in outdoor public places can reach levels as high as those found in indoor facilities where smoking is permitted.

MOTAC is Working to Help Change Community Norms

Initiative Kick-Off

Education & Awareness

Community

Support

Widespread Public Support

• In Minneapolis, about 65% of residents supported tobacco-free

parks.

• In NYC, 69% of New Yorkers supported smoke-free parks after the

policy was enacted.

• Americans for Non-Smokers’ Rights (ANRF) lists well over 500

fully comprehensive policies in the United States.

• 2,014 entities restrict smoking outdoors, with 1,368 in places such

as parks and beaches.

Widespread Local Public Support

In outdoor parks, do you think smoking should be allowed in Douglas County?

Source: Nebraska Adult Tobacco Survey, 2011

Widespread Local Public Support

At outdoor sporting events, do you think smoking should be allowed in Douglas County?

Source: Nebraska Adult Tobacco Survey, 2011

Capstone Project: Smoke-Free Parks

• Of 238 surveyed, 75% would favor a smoke-free parks

policy.

• Over 80% of those in favor believe that this would

reduce exposure to secondhand smoke.A study was conducted in Spring 2012 by UNMC College of Public Health graduate student

to explore public knowledge and attitudes about a smoke-free parks policy in Douglas

County.

I Support Tobacco-Free Parks

Looking Forward

• …increase support for all area parks to be designated smoke-free

• …continue to advocate for a tobacco-free parks policy across the metro area

Will You Support MOTAC?

• …by making your outdoor area smoke-free?

• …by advocating for a tobacco-free parks policy across the metro area?

Questions?Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition (MOTAC)3801 Harney Street, Omaha, NE 68131402-546-1099info@motac.org

facebook.com/OmahaTobaccoFreeParks