In the Home:
- Post a polite sign or sticker on your front door. Visitors appreciate knowing
in advance that your home is a smokefree zone. In the rare case that a visitor
lights up, politely request they smoke outside.
- Remove all ashtrays.
- If a guest asks if they can smoke in your house, don't be afraid to say
that you don't allow smoking inside. It may feel impolite, but you are right
to protect your family's health.
- Let babysitters or other caregivers know in advance that you do not want
any smoke around your children. Teach your children how to speak up and ask
others not to smoke around them. Tell them to let you know if others continue
to smoke around them.
- Support smokers who decide they're going to quit - chances are they feel
badly enough about their habit and wish they could quit. If you live with
a smoker, be gentle, but firm in your request that they smoke only outside.
- Keep in mind that even if they only smoke outside, secondhand smoke clings
to clothing and skin. Toxins are still off-gassed (released back into the
air) when someone who has been exposed, returns indoors.
In Public Places:
- Ask in advance about smoking policies and let all hotels, tours, ships,
rental car agencies, etc. know your preferences. Choose only 100% smokefree
businesses and let both places know the reason for your choice.
- Eat and drink only in 100% smokefree restaurants and bars, and let those
that are not smokefree know why you won't patronize them.
- Order and use ANR's "Happiness is Smokefree Dining" restaurant
stickers. Place them on your bill to let bar and restaurant owners know
you vote with your wallet. If you don't have a sticker with you, just write
a note on the bill. Putting your smokefree comments on the bill helps ensure
your feedback reaches the management.
Further Steps for Nonsmokers:
- Be polite to smokers, without giving up your quest to breathe smokefree.
In the rare instance where you encounter hostility - do not respond with hostility.
Instead work to change the policy of the place you're in, and get help from
those in charge of compliance with the policy. It's not about the smoking
- it's about smoking in ways that harm other people.
- Write a handwritten letter to your public officials urging support for nonsmokers'
rights and smokefree air, and urge others to do the same.
- Send or email "Letters to the Editor" of your local newspapers
and to businesses, in support of smokefree policies.
- Attend public meetings about smokefree policies and express your views.
- Know the law, and file complaints to the appropriate enforcement division.
- Support organizations in your area that are working to protect nonsmokers.
For more information on nonsmokers' rights or to order merchandise,
visit www.no-smoke.org, call 510-841-3032,
or email us.