- 06/24/10 - Download/listen to ACAS Public Service
ACAS / ARIZONA NEWS:
Arizonans Concerned About Smoking (ACAS), strongly advocates that: Assuring safe, healthful, smoke-free workplaces for all
workers is more than a health issue. It is a clear civil rights issue. We need workplace laws without the loopholes so common in past
“partial smoke-free” legislation. Carcinogenic tobacco smoke is the number one cause of preventable chronic disease deaths in
America. We reject arguments excusing health protection loopholes, based upon deception, “sham privacy” claims, gimmicks (such
as “electronic cigarettes”), ethnicity, color, social or economic class, etc. There is no longer (and never was) a proper place for
“White Only”, signs, or subtle: “Blacks, Latinos & American Indians Need Not Apply” job policies. Women and men must be paid the
same (not unequally) when doing exactly the same job.
My Own Personal Civil Rights Journey: As a small child, the de-humanization of slavery, and stories about selling humans to the
highest bidder, were somewhat overwhelming to me. It was distressing to learn that the male United States Declaration of
Independence and Constitution authors said that: “All Men are created equal,” but Women, People of Color, and Native Americans
(from whom the land was taken) were all denied the right to vote. Native Americans were referred to as “merciless Indian Savages.”
Just as remedial action civil rights laws were needed in the past, workplace civil rights laws are currently needed to “Close The
Loopholes” for workplace coverage of overlooked casino workers. Leaving out workers at casinos, fraternal/military clubs (for U.S.
veterans), and “sham” private clubs, are modern versions of “second class” citizenship for civil rights and health protection. Smoking
control laws must avoid the trap of allowing pro-tobacco advocates to promote costly ventilation systems which reduce smell, but
unlike smoking bans, can’t remove cancer risks. Separate Smoking and Non-Smoking sections are also ineffective, as pointed out by
the: “America Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers” (ASHRAE), because of immediate diffusion of
smoke/gases to entirely penetrate enclosed spaces. Scientific research has long shown that banning indoor smoking at its source, is
the only way to adequately achieve indoor air safety standards.
We must protect workplace civil rights & CLOSE THE LOOPHOLES in workplace smoke protection laws.
“No one should have to choose between their health and their Job”
10/24/08
Leland L. Fairbanks, MD, MPH
President, Arizonans Concerned About Smoking


"Healthy Smoke-Free Workplaces – a Civil Rights Issue"
by Leland Fairbanks, President, ACAS
"The Arizona Community Foundation and
its Affiliates are a statewide philanthropy
and partnership of donors, volunteers, staff,
nonprofit organizations and the community
working together to empower and align
philanthropic interests with community
needs and build a legacy of giving."
Arizonans Concerned About Smoking, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Corporation, would like to express our appreciation for partial funding provided by Arizona Community Foundation. With your generous support, we are able to blaze new trails into areas where others fear to tread. We can continue our life-saving health educational efforts thanks to you.
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"A Special Thank You to ACAS's partial donor; Arizona Community Foundation"
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Please make your tax deductible donation to: Arizonans Concerned About Smoking, Inc.
Note: All contributions to the work of ACAS, Inc. are fully tax deductible as ACAS, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Corporation
Please copy, paste and print the following:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here is my tax deductible contribution to ACAS of: [ ]$25 [ ]$50 [ ]$100 [ ]$500 [ ]$1,000 [ ]Other $________________ Name _______________________________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________________________ City ______________________________ State ______ Zip ___________________ Make checks payable to: Arizonans Concerned About Smoking 525 W. Southern, Suite 109, Mesa, AZ, 85210 (480) 733-5864 E-mail: acasinc@msn.com www.acasinc.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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"Casino smoke [still] takes your breath away"
- reprint from 2008 Native American Scene by ACAS President Dr Leland Fairbanks CLICK HERE
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(02/09/13) Arizonans Concerned About Smoking "4th Annual Health Leadership Award Recognition Ceremony" Group Photo Further coverage here Special Thanks to ACAS Official Photographer: Mr. Rick Johnson
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Our Purpose Is To Save Lives
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525 W Southern Ave. Suite #109 Mesa, AZ 85210 | ph: 480.733.5864 | fax: 480.733.1844 | ACASinc@msn.com
Smokefree Reports:
Hospital Admissions for Acute Myocardial Infarction, Angina, Stroke, and Asthma After
Implementation of Arizona’s Comprehensive Statewide Smoking Ban
Abstract:
Objectives. We examined the impact of Arizona’s May 2007 comprehensive statewide smoking ban on hospital admissions for
diagnoses for which there is evidence of a causal relationship with secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure (acute myocardial infarction
[AMI], angina, stroke, and asthma).
Methods. We compared monthly hospital admissions from January 2004 through May 2008 for these primary diagnoses and 4
diagnoses not associated with SHS (appendicitis, kidney stones, acute cholecystitis, and ulcers) for Arizona counties with preexisting
county or municipal smoking bans and counties with no previous bans. We attributed reductions in admissions to the statewide ban if
they occurred only in diagnoses associated with SHS and if they were larger in counties with no previous bans. We analyzed the data
with Poisson regressions, controlling for seasonality and admissions trends. We also estimated cost savings.
Results. Statistically significant reductions in hospital admissions were seen for AMI, angina, stroke, and asthma in counties with no
previous bans over what was seen in counties with previous bans. No ban variable coefficients were statistically significant for
diagnoses not associated with SHS.
Conclusions. Arizona’s statewide smoking ban decreased hospital admissions for AMI, stroke, asthma, and angina.

'Addiction Incorporated' Movie tells the True Story.....The True Story of the Tobacco
Companies' commitment to addicting the human brain, and how the world came to know
about it......(ACAS hopes to obtain the 'Addiction Incorporated' DVD when available)....
Headlines/News:
- 02/25/13 - 'Health Conscience of the Country' C Everett
Koop, ex-Surgeon General, dies - ACAS - USA /World News
Mark Your Calendar:
Next ACAS Board of Trustees Meeting:
Saturday, October 05, 2013
@ 9:30 AM Business Session
@10:30 AM General Public Meeting
Porter Plaza Conference Room
525 W. Southern Avenue, Suite 109
Mesa, AZ 85210
Thank You for attending our 4th Annual Health
Leadership Award Ceremony on 02/09/13...!
Thank You to both Chancellor Dr. Rufus Glasper our
Keynote Speaker who was introduced by Mesa City
Councilman Dennis Kavanaugh.
Pictures are now posted....!!
Please link your Basha's
"Thank You Card" to 25096 to
support ACAS, Inc. This must be
done in person at the store.
ACAS receives 1% of your
shopping dollars!
Thanks!
05/24/12 5th Anniversary of Arizona Smoke-Free Act: A Success Story
No Smoking Art - Paintings to help promote tobacco-free lifestyles......
Check out this on-line display of paintings which were created by the talented artist
Albert Ortiz (ACAS Trustee) to help promote tobacco-free lifestyles:
nosmokingart.weebly.com/ (Click on the painting on the home page to access the
powerful anti-tobacco collection of paintings. You will also be able to access a recent
"No Smoking Art" Exhibit and schedule an Exhibit Reservation Request if You'd like..)
Special 'High-Five' Thanks to: Mr. Rick Johnson for managing Albert's web presence through the weebly web site
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Albert's artwork has been displayed at Phoenix Area High Schools, Native American Connections, Community Health
Fairs and recently at an 'Addiction Incorporated' Addiction Workshop sponsored by Arizona State Department of Health
Services, Bureau of Tobacco and Chronic Disease. If you are interested in arranging a display of Albert's artwork
please contact either Philip Carpenter at (602) 751-0190 or email him at pcarperter04@msn.com or Artist Albert Ortiz at
(480) 636-1365 or email him at Albel1-ortiz@cox.net
News Release - Arizona Department of Health Services
For Immediate Release - May 24, 2012 Contact Laurie Thomas, thomasl@azdhs.gov, (480) 540-6050
This year, "World No Tobacco Day", celebrated May 31 - will be a date of special significance for Arizonans. It helps mark the
five-year anniversary of the Smoke-Free Arizona Act, a landmark voter initiative that prohibits smoking in most enclosed public
places.
Within the past five years, Arizona has been a national leader in reducing tobacco use. In fact since the Act became effective in
2007, an estimated 230,000 Arizonans have quit using tobacco. We've seen almost a 25 percent drop in smoking. Moreover, a
2010 statewide survey showed that more than 80 percent of Arizonans and 70 percent of business owners appreciate smoke-free
laws.
"The people have truly responded to the Act," said Harmony Duport, Office of Inspection and Compliance Chief at Arizona
Department of Health Services (ADHS). "We went from thousands of inquiries and complaints the first year to a little over 100 a
month last year. Both business owners and the general public seem comfortable with the Act."
Arizona's three-pronged approach - smoke-free laws, the high cost of tobacco and effective prevention and cessation programs -
has proved successful in reducing the tobacco burden in Arizona.
"Proactive tobacco policies in Arizona have been key to major reductions in tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke," said
Wayne Tormala, Bureau of Tobacco and Chronic Disease Chief at ADHS. "That in turn will bring dramatic reductions in disease
and healthcare spending."
Fiscal estimates of almost a quarter-million people quitting tobacco put savings in workplace productivity, pre-mature deaths, and
direct medical expenses at more than $1.4 billion over the remainder of their lifetimes.
"The health prognosis of a smoker, not matter how long they have been smoking, is immediately improved the moment they stop
smoking and continues to improve over time," said Bill Pfeifer, CEO of American Lung Association of the Southwest. "Tobacco is at
the root of so many preventable diseases."
The good news for those who want to quit is they are not alone. The ADHS ASHLine is here to help. The ASHLine has
one of the best success rates of all quitlines in the country - providing support on the telephone, online and through Smart Phones.
We celebrate World No Tobacco Day by recognizing the success of the Smoke-Free Act and by continuing the unbeatable
combination of effective public policy and a state-of-the-art ASHLine.
12/23/12 ACAS Forms Alliance with Mesa Community College (MCC) Peervention Program:
ACAS at Mesa Community College during Peervention Week (October 22-26, 2012)
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Peervention Program at Mesa Community College:
Mesa Community College Peervention Volunteer Program is a student-driven program which provides alcohol and other drug abuse
prevention information to our campus community. The Peervention Volunteers plan, implement, and host campus-wide prevention
activities, speakers, and events. They are trained in substance abuse prevention issues and are nationally certified as Peer
Educators through Boost Alcohol Consciousness Concerning the Health of University Students (BACCHUS). The Peervention
Volunteers demonstrate a value of their own education and focus on the many positive alternatives MCC provides to our community.
Mission Statement:
Peervention Volunteers are a diverse group of students who educate and increase awareness of the negative consequences of
alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use/abuse as well as related issues while promoting healthy life choices among students, faculty,
and staff in creating a healthy campus and community environment. Link to Peevention Site: Mesa Community College Peervention

If you are concerned about the dangers of secondhand smoke and would be interested in obtaining a complimentary copy of Lynn Hand's powerful book please contact the ACAS office for details (see the 'Contact Us' web page.)
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American Lung Association's Position on Marijuana Smoke:
Health Hazards of Smoking Marijuana
Marijuana smoke contains a greater amount of carcinogens than tobacco smoke. In addition, marijuana users usually inhale more
deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers do, further increasing the lungs' exposure to carcinogenic smoke.
Marijuana use is not only associated with adverse physical effects, but also mental, emotional and behavioral changes.
People who smoke marijuana frequently, but do not smoke tobacco, have more health problems and miss more days of work than
nonsmokers. Many of these extra sick days are due to respiratory illnesses.
Patients considering using marijuana for medicinal purposes should make this decision in consultation with their doctor, and
consider means of administration other than smoking (i.e., FDA recommended marinol (Dronabinol), which is synthetic THC).
4th Annual Health Leadership Individual and Group Award Pictures now noted here Special Thanks to ACAS Official Photographer: Mr. Rick Johnson
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South County Times: Addiction Incorporated
March 23, 2012 by Kent Tentschert
Victor DeNoble grew up in a blue collar community in the midst of
cigarettes and beer. Struggling through school, most of his summers
were split between summer fun and summer school, while he looked
forward to becoming a plumber like his father. But his father
recognized Victor’s potential and sent him to a nearby college. There,
during his freshman year, he discovered what had held him back all
these years. He was dyslexic. Correcting his dyslexia turned both his
grades and his life around.
Becoming a psychopharmecologist, DeNoble was approached by Philip Morris Tobacco Company to head up a secret division to
study nicotine. At the time their chemists were altering nicotine trying to make a cigarette that was as addictive, but didn’t have the
side effects – heart disease.
Thinking he was researching to create a healthier cigarette, DeNoble began studying the effects of nicotine on rats, whose brains
react to chemicals similarly to human’s, thus researchers can make quick strides in their studies by observing rat reactions.
When he taught rats to press a lever for food, he found that when given the choice, they would choose nicotine at ever-increasing
levels until they were addicted. They were hooked like humans.
Ingestion of nicotine causes hair to rise and one’s heart rate to increase, eventually leading to heart disease. DeNoble discovered
that altering the nicotine to two-prime methyl nicotine satisfied the same cravings without the detrimental results.
However, he also noted that where mice would starve themselves to death for cocaine or heroin, they would not do so for nicotine.
So why were smokers addicted to nicotine?
Victor DeNoble discovered the holy grail for cigarette manufacturers.
To read the entire story please access the following link: South County Times: Addiction Incorporated
Special 'High-Five' Thanks to Victor DeNoble for his continuing advocacy and education regarding tobacco addiction.

