I am a Smoke-Free Zone Media Campaign Success

This past fall, Jefferson County collaborated with other local public health agencies to launch the “I Am A Smoke-Free Zone” campaign in effort to protect children from secondhand smoke exposure. Campaign messages have appeared on English and Spanish television, radio, internet, event sponsorship, outdoor advertisements, and in convenience stores and local establishments to alert everyone about the need to protect children from the dangerous chemicals in secondhand smoke.

The “I Am A Smoke Free Zone” message sheds light on the four common myths about secondhand smoke:

1. The myth that blowing your smoke out a window or door prevents secondhand smoke exposure,
2. The myth that ventilation in a home or car is a good strategy,
3. The myth that room deodorizers can minimize risk, and
4. The myth that if it’s not enough to smoke in another room, open windows, and get rid of the odor, then the only other option is to quit.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year secondhand smoke exposure is responsible for an estimated 150,000–300,000 new cases of bronchitis and pneumonia and approximately 7,500–15,000 hospitalizations among children aged 18 months or younger in the United States. “We know secondhand smoke is harmful to everyone and that children are often the innocent bystanders. This campaign reminds people to protect kids by not smoking around them and helping them to avoid others’ tobacco smoke as well,” said Donna Viverette, JCPH Tobacco Prevention Initiative Supervisor.

“The truth is, there is no risk-free amount of secondhand smoke exposure, even outdoors. The only way to fully protect children is making cars and homes 100% smoke-free and not ever smoking around children,” said Viverette. Please contact us if you have any questions about secondhand smoke or the “I Am A Smoke-Free Zone” campaign and visit www.IAmASmokeFreeZone.org or www.TobaccoFreeJeffco.com for more information. Working together, we can help make all children (and adults!) "Smoke-Free Zones."