LEWISTON, IDAHO - Do our communities support tobacco-free parks and playgrounds? That’s the question Public Health - Idaho North Central District (PH-INCD) hopes to answer.
“We know most people support the idea of tobacco-free indoor air, but tobacco-free outdoor air is a new concept for many. We want to get input from as many people as possible, from all of our local communities”, said Heidi Henson, health promotion coordinator for PH-INCD and chair of the Regional Tobacco Taskforce.
An online survey has been created for the public to voice their opinions on this health topic. The survey can be accessed by visiting PH-INCD’s website at http://idahopublichealth.com/community/tobacco/tobacco-prevention-control/. Once there, click on Tobacco-Free Parks Survey.
Policies related to smoking and tobacco use are typically meant to protect people from being exposed to secondhand smoke, which is a combination of the smoke that a smoker breathes out and the smoke given off by the burning end of a tobacco product. Secondhand smoke has been classified as a known human cancer-causing agent and kills nearly 50,000 nonsmoking Americans ever year. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), ear infections, colds, pneumonia, bronchitis, and more severe asthma.
To learn more about the tobacco-free park survey, secondhand smoke or local tobacco cessation resources, contact Heidi Henson at Public Health - Idaho North Central District at 208-799-0368.