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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTobacco Free PolicyCHANGE IS IN THE AIR: TOBACCO FREE WORKSITES David Visiko M.S. Tobacco Prevention & Control Coordinator Deschutes County Health Services Deschutes County History •Smoking prohibited 30 feet of any county building entrance or facility. •Smoking and tobacco use is not allowed in any County building, facility or automobile •October, 2009: OAR requires addiction outpatient programs to be 100% tobacco free facilities and grounds. •Health Services Campus, Courthouse Annex, Downtown Health Center, and Wall Street Services Building affected. •Community Development Building and Mike Maier County Services Building (proximity to child care center and health services). Source: Dr. Tomas R. Frieden, Director, U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention 3 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Per capita cigarette pack sales Oregon vs. rest of United States, FY 1993 - 2010 OR rest of US In 1996, Oregonians pass Measure 44, raising the tobacco tax and funding the Tobacco Prevention and Education Program TPEP shut down for six months & restarted with funding cut 60% TPEP funding restored to voter- approved Measure 44 level Pe r c a p i t a p a c k s a l e s Orzechowski and Walker (2011). The Tax Burden on Tobacco. Tobacco is the Leading Preventable Cause of Death in the U.S. 0 100,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 500,000 Tobacco Related Diet & Inactivity Other Causes AIDS Alcohol Firearms Illegal Drug Use Motor Vehicle Poor Diet/Physical Inactivity Passive Smoking Active Smoking JAMA, March 10, 2004 Vol 291, No.10 Tobacco’s toll on Deschutes County in One Year •14% of adults regularly smoke •4,471 people suffer from a serious tobacco related illness •22% of all deaths in Deschutes County •$42 million is spent on medical care •$38 million in productivity lost Cost Impact of Tobacco Use $5,600 per smoker per year when you factor in: •Greater health care costs •Increased absenteeism •Work time spent on smoking rituals •Higher life insurance premiums •Greater risk of occupational injury •Costlier disability •More disciplinary action 86% of Deschutes County Adults Currently Do Not Use Tobacco 133,924 Adults in Deschutes County 115,041 86% 18,883 14% 70% of Deschutes County tobacco users want to quit Positive Impacts of Proposed Policy Can positively impact 95% of our adult population •Can positively impact Deschutes County residents who do not smoke by reducing their exposure to secondhand smoke and eliminating smoking triggers. AND •Can assist tobacco users who want to quit, reducing chronic disease and its impact on health care costs. Adult Quit Patterns Deschutes County smokers have the greatest desire to quit smoking in the state. •47% of Oregonians stopped smoking for a day or longer in the past year in an attempt to quit •61% of smokers in Deschutes County attempted to quit for at least one day (highest prevalence in the state;).Oregon Tobacco Facts, 2011, page 18. Deschutes County survey shows support for tobacco-free policy More than 800 people completed a survey fielded by Deschutes County Health Services to determine the level of support for establishing a 100% tobacco-free policy at some or all of Deschutes County properties. 84% of survey respondents were in favor of 100% tobacco- free county properties. Public Opinion Survey Results Feb.2012 71% 13% 7% 9% Respondents' views on importance of establishing tobacco-free buildings and grounds in Deschutes County Very important Somewhat important Not very important Not important at all N=803 Survey Results at a Glance: •91% visit Deschutes County Offices •86% try to avoid Second Hand Smoke •91% think Second Hand Smoke is harmful •84% think tobacco free buildings important 804 survey respondents Where do we go from here? •Recommendation to go 100% tobacco free •If supported, next steps: •Obtain management support •Establish policy implementation committee •Information & Input Sessions with staff Compliance of Proposed Policy Internal and External Communication Plan. •Clearly communicate the policy to staff and public Compliance with this policy is the shared responsibility of all Deschutes County personnel. •Any person who observes a violation of the policy is authorized and encouraged to communicate the policy with courtesy and respect. Management and supervisory staff are responsible for ongoing compliance with this policy within their respected work areas. •Management and staff are expected to adhere to standard practice in resolving any issues of noncompliance with employees.