SMOKE-FREE SAFETY ZONES
AT PUBLIC BUILDINGS…
MAKING IT HAPPEN
Local Lead Agencies (LLA), Competitive Grantees, and
Ethnic Networks have a new
victory to celebrate and an opportunity to help implement a far-reaching
new tobacco
control law in their communities.
The new law, which originated as Assembly Bill (AB 846), amends
California
Government Code, Sections 7596-7598, to prohibit smoking
within 20 feet of a main
entrance, exit, and operable window of all public buildings
(buildings owned and
occupied, or leased and occupied by the state, county, or city)
as well as buildings
on the campuses of the University of California (UC), California
State University (CSU),
and California community colleges, effective January 1, 2004.
IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT ACTITIVIES
The California Department of Health Services, Tobacco Control Section
(TCS) is
providing written notification to state agencies. TCS is also sending
a notification
mailing to county and city governments throughout the state. This
mailing includes:
· Explanatory cover letter
· Copy of AB 846
· Fact sheet on the law
· Directory of LLAs to obtain signage prototype
or decals
A copy of all documents sent to government entities is being provided
to all TCS-funded
agencies.
What Will My Agency Be Expected To Do To Help in the
Implementation Process?
Informing appropriate county and city department heads of the new
law and advocating
for its timely implementation is a key role of local tobacco control
agencies. TCS is
providing template signage, a fact sheet regarding the law, and
sample decals.
Prototype signage can be downloaded from the Tobacco Education Clearinghouse
of
California’s (TECC) web site at http://www.tecc.org, and decals
can be ordered by
contacting TECC Customer Service at (800) 258-9090, ext. 230 or
103, or the TECC
web site (specify item J647).
WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT?
Contact any of the following county (or if appropriate, city) agencies
to begin the
implementation process:
· County Health Officer /Health Director
· County Safety Officer
· Risk Management Officer
· General Services Department
· Real Estate Officer
· Public Facilities and Resources Department
· City Manager
· Planning Department
· Or similar department
Key personnel may have protocols in place to implement new state
regulations and will welcome your assistance in ensuring a smooth
roll out of the new law.
HOW CAN MY AGENCY OFFER ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS?
Many counties and cities have set aside funds in their annual budgets
to meet the cost
of signage required by new state laws. However, if your county or
city does not have
funds to pay for entryway signs, and if you have funds available,
it is an appropriate use
of Proposition 99 funds to assist in paying for signage. Also, you
will receive sample
decals with instructions on ordering a supply for distribution to
local governments.
Promotional activities, through government channels, could include:
· Payroll stuffers
· Mass emailing to county and/or city employees
· County employee newsletter
· City employee publications
· City newsletters to residents
· Utility bill inserts
WOULD ON-GOING COMPLIANCE ACTIVITIES AND/OR EXPANSION
OF THE LAW THROUGH LOCAL POLICIES BE AN APPROPRIATE OBJECTIVE IN
OUR SCOPE OF WORK?
Yes. Feel free to discuss this possibility with your TCS Program
Consultant.
WHAT ABOUT COLLEGE CAMPUSES?
They are included as “public buildings” in the smoke-free
entryway law. Notification
letters will be sent by TCS to all UC, CSU, and Community College
Chiefs of Police and
Health and Safety Officers. The Campuses Organized and United for
Good Health
(COUGH) campaign will be educating governing boards from the three
systems and
their respective presidents. For further information, contact Kim
Homer, California
Youth Advocacy Network, at (916) 339-3424, or youthnet@softcom.net.
WHAT OTHER TOBACCO CONTROL OPPORTUNITIES DOES THIS
LAW OFFER?
* This is a great time to inform county, city, college, and university
employees of the law so they can explain to peers and clients the
rationale behind the law and who will be protected.
* Promote cessation programs to county/city employees as part of
the implementation activity.
* Include the law in the Policy and Procedure Manuals for your county/city.
* Encourage the placement of ash receptacles farther than 20 feet
away from buildings to promote broader compliance.
* Establish limited, designated smoking areas away from certain
public buildings altogether.
* Work with larger private businesses to encourage a similar voluntary
policy.
* Inform county/city leaders that they can extend the smoke-free
safety zones to a wide variety of privately-owned facilities and
venues where the public gathers.
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