(01/22/08) This photo features 17th U.S. Surgeon General (2002-2006) Dr. Richard H. Carmona
(center) during a Tucson Canyon Ranch visit by ACAS officers.
ACAS President Dr. Leland Fairbanks (left) is holding the 1964 "First Surgeon General's Report on
Smoking and Health" by Dr Luther L. Terry. ACAS Executive Director Philip J. Carpenter (right) is
holding the 1986 Surgeon General's Report by Dr C. Everett Koop, "The Health Consequences of
Involuntary Smoking".
Dr. Carmona has written a letter of strong endorsement and support for the Navajo Nation Commercial
Tobacco free-Tobacco Control Project to the honorable Joe Shirley, Jr, President of the Navajo Nation.
ACAS/Arizona Headlines:
Read the "Executive Summary" of
Tobacco Control in Transition: Public
Support and Governmental Disarray in
Arizona 1997-2007 by Yogi H Hendlin,
M.Sc., Richard Barnes, J.D., and Stanton
A Glantz, Ph.D.
Smoke-Free Arizona, Present and Future
For Dr. Leland Fairbanks, president of Arizonans Concerned About Smoking (ACAS), Inc., and
recipient of the 1998 Family Physician of the Year Award from the Arizona Academy of Family
Physicians, the commitment to work for smoke-free laws began in the 1950s when, in his words, “no
one else was willing to do it.” Fifty years later—and six months after the passage of Proposition
201, which prohibits smoking in most indoor public places—the nation’s “Smoke-Free Hospital
Doctor” sat down to talk about smoke-free hospitals, tobacco cessation for nurses, and Arizona’s
smoke-free future. (Issue February/March 2008)
Tell us about tobacco cessation and nurses.
LF: At the time of the first U.S. Surgeon General’s report on smoking, 60 percent of physicians and 30
percent of nurses smoked. Today, only 2 percent of family physicians smoke, but rates for nurses are
not much improved.
How can individual nurses and health care systems motivate change?
LF: Nursing is an honored profession. Nurses can dare to point out to each other the need to end the
negative role modeling of nurses who smoke. Use the teachable moments: when a colleague confides, “I
have to take a shower after smoking before I can pick up my baby,” for example. Make it a family affair
to help colleagues quit.
A proven health care systems policy is the smoke-free campus policy, which includes no smoking
indoors, on the grounds, or near entrances. The Mayo Clinic’s research
shows that the smoke-free campus policy has done more to help employees quit than any other
measure.
What was your “A-ha” moment as an advocate for smoke-free laws and policies?
LF: In 1957, I was an intern with the U.S. Public Health Service in New Orleans. The wards were full of
tobacco smoke. When I asked one of my lung disease
patients about quitting smoking, he sobbed that he had only three things to look forward to: his oxygen
tank, his next cigarette, and his death.
A few years earlier, the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education
Supreme Court decision showed me the importance
of civil rights advocacy. My experiences as an intern taught me that antismoking legislation is a civil
rights issue. Everyone has the right to breathe clean air.
What’s next for smoke-free hospitals?
LF: General hospitals, which have long done well as smoke-free indoor facilities, are appropriately
moving to the next level: the smoke-free campus. The smoke-free campus ensures, for example, that
someone who has just gotten emergency treatment for asthma will not have to walk through a cloud of
smoke on the way out the door.
For more information about Arizona’s certification and continuing education programs for brief and intensive tobacco dependence treatment interventions, as well as the QUITZone Program supporting tobacco-free campuses, visit www.healthcarepartnership.org or send a request to hcpinfo@email.arizona.edu.
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The ACAS Mission:
Arizonans Concerned About Smoking (ACAS) is a non-profit, pro-health, organization. Our goal is to
save lives through public awareness regarding the hazards of tobacco use (especially when in public
places around others who are nonsmokers), and by advocating public policy which promotes a more
healthy smoke-free society.
We believe that all individuals should have a healthy smoke-free workplace environment. No one should
have to choose between their health and their job.
Our ACAS Work:
The work of ACAS is to achieve health promoting smoke-free workplaces for all employed workers. As
stated above, no one should have to choose between their health and their job.
Our ACAS work has always been tobacco control, education, and educational advocacy, focused on
achieving the above stated smoke-free workplace goal. This includes supporting and taking direct
actions designed to create and achieve approval of clean-air ordinances.
HB-2483's Self Extinguishing
Cigarettes Primary Sponsor,
Representative John
McComish,
reports that the bill passed
witha vote of 54-6 in the
House and 20-9 in the
senate. It was signed into law
by Arizona Governor
Napolitano on 05-05-08.
HB-2001's No Smoking in
Cars with Children Primary
Sponsor, Representative
David Schapira, has
informed ACAS that the bill
has not received enough
support to move it forward
this session.
jmccomish@azleg.gov
Legislative Notes:
Smoking complaints plummet
1,395 complaints filed in 1st month; just 220 in April
The first month of a statewide ban on indoor smoking drew 182 complaints in Pima County and 1,395
statewide, a report says.
In the subsequent 11 months - June 2007 to April 2008 - the number of complaints in Pima County
ranged from 81 to 18.
April logged 220 complaints statewide, 40 of them in Pima County.
According to a report published Friday by the Arizona Department of Health Services, officials looked at
the number and nature of complaints since the Smoke-Free Arizona Act went into effect.
The act was approved by voters in November 2006, and the ban started May 1, 2007, in most indoor
public places and businesses, extending to 20 feet beyond entrances.
People who smoke where it is prohibited can be fined $50 to $300 when the law was implemented, said
Ali Farhang, a labor and employment attorney with the law firm Fennemore Craig.
Businesses face steeper fines. In the past year, two bars - Metro Sportz Bar in Phoenix and Hooligan's
Irish Pub in Prescott - each were fined $10,000 for violating the ban.
The majority of the complaints were related to incorrect or missing signage designating nonsmoking
areas, people smoking within 20 feet of an entrance, or the presence of an ashtray within 20 feet of an
entrance, according to the report.
The largest number of complaints, at 42 percent, dealt with bars and restaurants.
The W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University will issue a report in July looking at the
economic impact of the smoking ban.
Smokers kick habit to ease money crunch
she saving the $6 per pack she was spending, but now she doesn't have to waste gas doing a late run
for cigarettes.
"It just costs so darn much money," said the El Mirage homemaker. "I figure by quitting smoking, I can
buy another extra gallon of gas."
So the 55-year-old quit cold turkey on Mother's Day, with the help of the state's Tucson-based smokers'
hot line. She eats oranges and takes long walks when she gets cravings, and she's putting aside the
money she's saved to buy a new dining table set.
Tobacco education and prevention experts can't say for sure if Smith is part of a larger trend, but they
have noticed a downturn in tobacco tax revenues and an uptick in people seeking prevention services.
In April, for example, the state collected roughly $1.5 million in tobacco tax revenues, down from about
$2 million in 2006. May's revenues were also down about $500,000.
Stephen Michael, the director of the Arizona Smokers' Helpline, said there are anecdotal indications that
people are cutting back on smoking and finding creative ways to save money. Some are buying
cigarettes in Las Vegas, on local reservations or online, he said.
But the economy is giving some the extra kick they need to quit. "We have a lot of people calling and
saying, 'I just can't afford it anymore,' " he said. "Money is a big driver for people."
While his Helpline serves between 4,000 and 6,000 people a year on average, this year it is serving
between 8,000 and 10,000. And that's without the benefit of a media campaign to promote it.
But Marcy Flanagan, director of the Pima County Tobacco Education and Prevention Program, said she
isn't seeing an increase in people taking the free smoking-cessation classes her office offers.
Her teachers do stress the economic impact of smoking, she said, because it is one factor in people's
decision to quit.
People who smoke two packs a day spend roughly $3,650 a year on their habit, she said, not counting
additional costs of dry cleaning, dental care or health insurance.
Information for smokers http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/243931
Smokers, want to know how much you're spending a year?
The Arizona Smokers' Helpline has an online calculator that allows you to plug in a brand
and the number of cigarettes you smoke in a day: www.ashline.org/
Looking for help to quit smoking?
The Arizona Smokers' Helpline will counsel you over the phone, contacting you the day
before you quit, the day after, one week later and at various times for up to eight weeks. It
also provides up to two weeks of free nicotine replacement products, such as patches or
gum. For more information, log on to www.ashline.org, or call 1-800-556-6222.
The Pima County Tobacco Education and Prevention Program offers free classes that
meet an hour once a week for six weeks. The next round starts in July:
Monday nights starting July 14: University Medical Center, 1501 N. Campbell Ave.,
6-7 p.m.
Tuesday afternoons starting July 15: Pima County Health Department East, 6900 E.
Broadway, 11 a.m.-noon.
Wednesday nights starting July 16: HealthSouth Rehab Hospital, 1921 W. Hospital
Drive, near La Cholla and Orange Grove roads, 6-7 p.m.
For more information, call 243-7904.


525 W Southern Ave. Suite #110 Mesa, AZ 85210 | ph: 480.733.5864 | fax: 480.733.1844 | smokefreeaz@yahoo.com
Our Purpose Is To Save Lives
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With the price of gas, groceries and
just about everything else going up,
state officials last week suggested
that quitting smoking is one way
consumers can make their dollars
stretch further in the difficult
economy.
For Chrissy Smith, the $100 a week
she's saving by not smoking couldn't
come at a better time.
The corner gas station near her
Maricopa County home is selling gas
for $4.14 a gallon, she said. And
since she quit smoking, not only is
By: Greg Fairbanks, ACAS Trustee and Newsletter Editor
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ACAS Winter 2007/2008 Bulletin
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Get E-mail Updates On Tobacco Control Issues. Sign up and receive information about tobacco policy and advocacy. Contact Karen Zielaski for information regarding her services: healthypolicies @earthlink.net Tel 520: 290-0032
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Arizona State Hospital Goes Smoke Free
ADHS News Release | July 1, 2008 | Contact: Michael Murphy, ADHS Public Information: (602) 542-1094
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The Arizona State Hospital today became a Smoke Free environment, a historic move designed to
benefit patients, staff and visitors.
New signs announce that smoking is no longer permitted on the grounds of the state's only publicly
owned and operated psychiatric hospital, located at 24th and Van Buren streets in Phoenix.
"While approximately 23 percent of the general population smokes, the prevalence is three times higher
in persons with other addictions or mental illness," said John Cooper, Arizona State Hospital CEO. "The
heavy rate of smoking in our patient populations puts them at higher risk of developing medical
consequences from long-term tobacco use, such as emphysema, heart disease and cancer."
Besides reducing health care costs for patients, the new Smoke Free policy is expected to have other
benefits. Other states with bans in their psychiatric hospitals have observed decreased aggression and
assaults, a reduction in the use of restraints and psychiatric medications, improved patient supervision,
suppression of the black market in cigarettes, and better participation in therapy sessions.
The state hospital, working with the Department of Health Service's Bureau of Tobacco Education and
Prevention, is providing evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment programs to help staff and
patients kick the habit. The hospital also has made treating nicotine addiction an integral component of
clinical assessment, treatment planning and clinical interventions.
Today's announcement follows months of work by the hospital's Tobacco Free workgroup to meet with
staff, patients and other parties to develop and implement the Smoke Free policy.
Navajo Nation President Vetoes Smoke-free Law, Help Sought for Override of Veto
Karen Zielaski, Project Director, Healthy Policies with Dr. Leland L. Fairbanks, President, Arizonans Concerned About Smoking
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An Override of the Navajo President's veto will be attempted by the Navajo Nation Health and Social
Services Committee. The first strategy meeting to plan for the Override was scheduled in Window
Rock/St Michaels, AZ on Monday, 8-11-08. Philip Carpenter of Arizonans Concerned About Smoking,
and I joined the SNTEPP Group in attendance. Among those also represented were Frieda Glantz of
ANR, American Cancer Society and many Navajo Groups. There is also major support from the
Traditional Navajo Medicine Man's Organization and Traditionalist Religious Groups who use traditional
tobacco with their prayers. The law only restricts Commercial Tobacco use, not legitimate religious
ceremonies
Dr. Leland L. Fairbanks, President, ACAS
Receive timely E-mail Updates On Tobacco Control Issues. Sign up and receive information about tobacco policy and advocacy.
Contact Karen Zielaski for information regarding support for her services: healthypolicies@earthlink.net Tel 520: 290-0032
I'm being asked to generate news articles quoting personal requests for help from Native American
Casino workers in the Casinos which allow smoking. Typical quotes from Native American Employees
include:
Help us to get rid of the casino smoke because:
- "It is filthy here for us workers."
- "Please speak for us."
- "If we complain, we are told to look for a job elsewhere."
- "However, you are one of our doctors. Nobody is going to be able to fire you."
There is a certain amount of "Righteous Indignation" being expressed by some of the supportive Navajo
Tribal Council members, over the one person President's veto of this 3 year grass roots effort by the
Navajo People, with major Health Group support from all over America. They are seeking Override
support from all over the USA, especially from Native American and Health Groups. With heroic well
planned effort, It can be done, in the view of the legislative aide to the Speaker of the Navajo House of
Delegates. But it will be a difficult challenge, because 59 votes of the total 88 Tribal Council Delegates
are needed for Override of Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr's Veto.

Copyright Arizonans Concerned About Smoking Inc. (ACAS). All rights reserved.
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 501C3 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 110, Mesa, AZ, 85210 (480) 733-5864 E-mail: acasinc@msn.com www.acasinc.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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