Public Health and Environment

Tobacco Free Future

The primary strategies for the Department of Public Health & Environment are to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, promote smoking cessation, and decrease tobacco use by youth.

Our activities include working cooperatively with tobacco vendors and law enforcement in Washington County, promoting community policies to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, supporting families who adopt smoke-free environments, and providing linkages to cessation resources.

Tobacco Free Youth Recreation

Secondhand smoke is harmful to everyone, even in outdoor settings. According to Repace Associates, the country's leading secondhand smoke experts, secondhand smoke levels in outdoor public places can reach levels as high as those found in indoor facilities where smoking is permitted.  Washington County has joined many other counties and cities in Minnesota in passing policies that limit for prohibit tobacco use in parks, beaches, and playgrounds.

Why should outdoor areas be tobacco free?

Children model adult behaviors, so when children see adults using tobacco in a family setting, such as a park or ball field, they think smoking is acceptable.

For years, sporting events were tied to tobacco through advertising, making this behavior more acceptable. Research indicates the sporting events expose youth to extensive tobacco use by people they view as positive role models.

Cigarette litter is the most common form of litter found in parks, beaches and other recreational facilities. They are not only dangerous to toddlers from ingestion; they make the facilities look dirty and uninviting, and cause high maintenance expenses.

Minnesotans know that secondhand smoke is hazardous, and they support tobacco-free policies that reduce the dangers from secondhand smoke.

What you can do in your community:

• Tell friends and neighbors why you support tobacco-free recreational areas, and ask them to join you.
• Gather support from organizations who regularly use recreational facilities.
• Distribute educational materials at community events.
• Write a letter to the editor.
• Volunteer to speak to elected officials.

For more information, contact:
Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation
651-646-3005
tfyr@ansrmn.org