Fifth anniversary of Arizona Smoke-Free Act May 31

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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, no 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.