SAFERolla

Orange Bowl Committee Cancels Sponsorship by Cigar Manufacturer

SAFERolla — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:28:56 +0000

Courtesy of www.rtmagazine.com

Matthew L. Meyers, president, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, says the Orange Bowl Committee has done the right thing for the nation’s kids and health by canceling a planned 3-year sponsorship by Camacho Cigars.

”The committee’s action sends a powerful message that tobacco has no place in sports, and certainly should not have a place at the Orange Bowl, one of the nation’s premier collegiate sporting events. This sponsorship would have helped market tobacco products to young fans, putting them at risk of developing a deadly addiction,” said Meyers.

In an open letter to the Orange Bowl Committee and the NCAA, 10 major public health and medical groups last week said the cigar sponsorship should be cancelled because it promotes tobacco use, the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. The groups are the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Dental Association, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Medical Association, and Legacy and Oral Health America.

Three US Senators—Dick Durbin of Illinois, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut—also called on the Orange Bowl to end the cigar sponsorship.

Celebration a success!

SAFERolla — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:06:31 +0000

Supporters of the Indoor Smoke-Free ordinance for the city of Rolla gathered Monday, Jan. 2 for a dinner and ceremony recognizing those who contributed to the movement. Here are some photos from our event:

Join us for the celebration!

SAFERolla — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:31:41 +0000

Come celebrate with us Monday, January 2nd from 5-7pm at Benton Square’s Miller’s Grill. There will be free appetizers and drawings for prizes!

All supporters are welcome to join us in celebrating the enactment of the Indoor Smoke-Free Ordinance For the City of Rolla which will make our community a healthier place to live, work and play!

A bonfire will be provided for all those who are planning to quit smoking. Bring your cartons or packs of cigarettes and we’ll have a bonfire in the courtyard for a burning ceremony. Let’s celebrate a healthier 2012 together!

Many Local Businesses Go Smoke Free Early

SAFERolla — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:22:59 +0000

Members of the Smoke-Free Air for Everyone Rolla, SAFERolla, presented many local businesses with
Certificates of Appreciation for providing clean air for their workers and their patrons, including the following:

Pictured left to right, Ray J’s employee Clay Keeney and co-owner Justin Northern. Northern and co-owner Ra-chel Malva opened their restaurant in the former La-Posada location, as a smoke-free business. “A restaurant is supposed clean, anyway … right? They are supposed to be safe workplaces, too.” said Northern.

Karen Richards, left, and Jamie Myers present Margo Cremer with Dairy Queen’s Certificate. “Our business has been smoke-free for over 25 years,” said Cremer. “We made that decision when most businesses allowed smoking. We were worried at the time how it might affect our business, but we are family-run and our kids were raised here … it was the right thing to do.
We also knew that families were many of our customers and for them, we should be smoke-free.”

SAFERolla coalition members Cheryl Hoerr, far left and Leah Prewett, far right, present Tom Lin and Ivan Xie with a Congratulations Certificate. “We’re happy that all of Rolla is going to be smoke-free. We never considered having smoking inside our business,” said Lin.

With the clean air ordinance set to begin January 2, 2012 for all indoor workplaces and indoor public places, Shoney’s opted to go smoke-free early. Shoney’s manager Dawn Fultz, right, and Penny Doan, a seven year employee display their Certificate. Penny reports that her emphysema has improved greatly since the business has eliminated smoking.

Proud to be smoke-free, owners of Kyoto Micheal Liu and Amy Liu display their Congratulations Certificate.

Clayton restaurants thrive after smoking ban

SAFERolla — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:33:30 +0000

Despite warnings to the contrary, restaurants did nicely in Clayton in the first year of the city’s smoking ban.

“The Clayton scene is alive and well and, most importantly, more healthy, than it has ever been,” said Mayor Linda Goldstein, who advocated the ban to protect public health. Sales tax revenue from restaurants is up slightly, and the number of restaurants is increasing, Goldstein said.

The ban on smoking in restaurants and other public places went into effect July 1, 2010.
City officials said that from July 2009 through April 2010, the city took in $1,677,269 in sales tax revenue from restaurants. From July 2010 through April 2011, the restaurants collected $1,684,029 in sales taxes, an increase of about $7,000.

Impact of smoking ban in Springfield

SAFERolla — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 02:08:41 +0000

News-Leader staff talked to workers and patrons at more than 20 local bars, restaurants and businesses about the impact of the indoor smoking ban that took effect in June. Here’s what some of them said:

Parlor 88 1111 E. Republic Road
Seth Elliott, general manager and part-owner, said the smoking ban has not affected the south Springfield lounge. They have not seen a drop in sales at all.

“It’s been an easy transition,” Elliot said. “We were never a heavy smoking establishment before. A couple people who do smoke just go outside now.”

He said it’s possible Parlor 88 is attracting more non-smokers, but “if so, it’s not a dramatic change by any means.”

For the full story, visit: http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110814/NEWS01/108140347/Impact-smoking-ban&odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Beaches|p

Springfield Downtown bar sees business pick up 16%

SAFERolla — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 02:05:56 +0000

Despite the added chore of sweeping cigarette butts from the sidewalk out front, Springfield’s smoking ban has been a boon for downtown bar Finnegan’s Wake.

Co-owner Anne Kim said business at the Irish-themed bar at 307 South Ave. picked up 16 percent in the first month smoke-free compared to the same period in 2010.

The bar purchased a leaf blower to clean up cigarette butts left behind by patrons smoking outside, Kim said. Blown into the street at the end of each shift, the litter is removed about every two days by a street sweeper paid for with downtown Community Improvement District revenue.

Bartender Melissa Lewis, who often is the one doing the dirty work, said it’s a worthwhile trade-off.

For the full story visit:

American Cancer Society provides encouragement

SAFERolla — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:38:54 +0000

The following letter was sent to Mayor Bill Jenks III by the American Cancer Society:

Dear Mayor Jenks,

On behalf of the American Cancer Society, I respectfully urge you to adopt a strong, simple and fair smoke-free ordinance. Smoke-free laws are an effective way to improve health as they reduce harmful secondhand smoke exposure. When a community goes smoke-free, it is a wholesale change that can more rapidly impact cancer rates by significantly reducing smoking rates and consequently, tobacco-related illness and death.

One-third of all cancer deaths are tobacco-related. There is widespread scientific consensus that exposure to secondhand smoke is harmful. The link between secondhand smoke and serious health risks is accepted by every major medical and scientific organization in the United States.

When people smoke in public places they affect the health of everyone around them. Personal liberty in our country has never been understood to allow one person’s behavior to damage or risk damage to another.

It is the position of the American Cancer Society that all employees deserve smoke-free protections regardless where they work, including restaurants and all bars. Covering all workplaces is a critical step toward achieving meaningful health protection from secondhand smoke for the people who live and work in Rolla.

In conclusion, smoke-free workplaces are an important health issue and we would be grateful for your support of a comprehensive law that protects all citizens’ right to breathe smoke-free air.

Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Stacy Reliford
Field Government Relations Director
American Cancer Society, Eastern Missouri Region

Mayor of Clayton offers support

SAFERolla — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:34:44 +0000

In a letter sent to Mayor Bill Jenks III, Linda Goldstein, mayor of Clayton, MO, offered encouragement to the smoke-free initiative. The letter follows:

Dear Mayor Jenks:

I recently heard that the Rolla City Council is considering a smoke-free ordinance, so I wanted to send you a note of support and encouragement.

The City of Clayton, Missouri became smoke-free on July 1, 2010, six months before St. Louis City and County enacted their ordinances. While the majority of our residents seemed to support a clean air ordinance, our restaurants were very concerned about how this legislation would affect their business. I’m pleased to tell you that one year later two of our most vocal “anti-ban” restaurateurs have opened additional locations and a number of new restaurants have opened in our city. Although we don’t have the final annual pre- and post- smoking ban sales tax receipts yet, it appears that our restaurant revenue has increased significantly.

But in the end, what’s most important is that our community is a healthier, cleaner place to live, work, or visit. Second hand smoke is a serious public health issue. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to further support your efforts to become a smoke-free community.

Sincerely,
Linda Goldstein
Mayor

O’Fallon goes smoke free

SAFERolla — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:00:49 +0000

On April 5, 2011, the voters of O’Fallon took the historic opportunity to ensure their right to basic health protection from secondhand smoke. An astounding 73% of voters (over 7,200 individuals!) said YES to smoke-free indoor air! It’s clear residents want protection from secondhand smoke in all workplaces – for themselves, their families and future generations.

For the last few months, our group has engaged in a positive and educational outreach in our community with a truly grassroots effort – calling thousands of O’Fallon city voters, going door to door in various neighborhoods and encouraging folks to vote yes on this important health issue.

The result was a show of overwhelming support. The citizens of O’Fallon have spoken loud and clear. Thanks to the newly passed ordinance, the first rate city will now protect workers, residents, and visitors from the dangers of secondhand smoke. In mere weeks, the city’s vibrant bars and restaurants will be smoke-free.

Starting June 16th, they can all breathe a little easier. That’s when all O’Fallon bars, restaurants and workplaces will be smoke-free. So come out, breathe deep and enjoy O’Fallon like never before.

For more information visit: http://www.smokefreeofallon.org