ANR UPDATE, 26(1), Spring 2007

Implementing Your New Smokefree Law

Picture this: Your city, county, or state passes a new smokefree law. Congratulations! You sit back, happily counting the days until the law takes effect. You cannot wait to go out and inhale that smokefree indoor air at your favorite restaurant. But wait. Panic sets in. Will your community understand the details of the new smokefree law by the time it takes effect? Do businesses have all the information they need to comply? How will the law be enforced? These are great questions. In order to help the implementation process go smoothly, it's important to have the answers ready long before implementation day. After 30 years of advocating for smokefree laws, ANR members have learned a few things about preparing for these policies.

Rule #1: It is never too early to start planning for implementation of the new smokefree law.
Don't just sit there, do something! The most successful smokefree laws are the result of careful implementation planning. Members of the public, local smokefree coalitions, elected officials, and the enforcing agency (health department, police department, etc.) can all do their part in the months leading up to the effective date to ensure that implementation goes smoothly.

Rule #2: Inform business owners about the new law.
Every business should receive information about the law and signage requirements several weeks prior to the effective date.

Rule #3: Inform the public about the new law.
People in the community should know where they can expect to find smokefree air and where they will not find it. Have fun promoting your new law in a positive way. Get the word out, write letters to the editor, and encourage the public to support newly smokefree businesses! Be sure there is a telephone hotline and/or a website set up for violation complaints and questions about the law.

The good news is that smokefree laws are "self-enforcing," much like traffic laws. In addition, public support for smokefree laws is at an all time high, and growing. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that once the law passes we can just sit back and relax. It is important to be vigilant to ensure that both the public and the business community understand the new law, including why the law was enacted in the first place (public health!). Because, when smokefree laws are implemented well, we all breathe easier.

Looking for more information on implementation? For a checklist and tips on how to prepare for the big day, visit www.no-smoke.org (keyword: Implementation).

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