P.O. Box 483
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0483
phone: 353-1623
e-mail: smokefreeJC@gmail.com
Click here to get involved.

Get Involved
                There are many ways to support and promote smoke-free policies:

1. Support smokefree environments on a daily basis by making a commitment to patronize smoke-free businesses. Make sure to thank them for protecting your health.  Owners and managers need to hear positive comments.  Click here for a listing of smoke-free restaurants and bars and here for smoke-free hotels.
2. Speak Up when you’re at a restaurant and other indoor workplace that allows smoking.  Management should have a concern about providing an enjoyable experience and safe environment for their customers.  Courteously let the manager know that secondhand smoke is a health threat and that you would greatly appreciate a smokefree environment.  Managers won’t know if you keep quiet.   If you’re not the outgoing type, you can still send a positive message to the manager.  We have stickers you can put on the meal receipts so that the manager see the message when reviewing the day’s receipts.  You can a supply of stickers by submitting a request.
3. Write a letter to the Editor.
4. Talk to your city council representatives and mayor.  Let them know that:
1. The Surgeon General has determined that secondhand smoke is a health risk for lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, emphysema, bronchitis, asthma and other diseases.  Further, he stated there is no minimum safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke; separate smoking and no-smoking sections do not work.
2. Peer-reviewed studies have shown double-digit decreases in hospital admissions for heart attacks in communities that have implemented strong smokefree ordinances.
3. Objective, peer-reviewed studies have determined that smokefree ordinances do not have a negative impact on restaurant and bar businesses.  Studies that have found economic harm are usually not using objective data, are not peer-reviewed and/or are funded by tobacco industry.
4.  More than 2/3rd of U.S. citizens already live in communities with strong smokefree laws or ordinances.
5. Join Up  The Cole County Partners for Clean Air is a group of local citizens like you.  It is a great way to make your voice heard to promote clean air, and helping protect the health of people with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease and other diseases that are impacted by secondhand smoke. Click here to sign up.

As a supporter of the Cole County Partners for Clean Air, you have an option to receive periodic newsletters and other information updating you on critical issues.   Sign up now by e-mail your information to: smokefreeJC@gmail.com

HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Send a Letter to the Editor
We need to make sure that supporters of the Clean Indoor Air ordinance are heard! One very important way to speak out is to write letters to the editors of your newspapers. Don't worry if you haven't done this before! It should be as simple as it is important if you follow the basic suggestions below.
A good letter to the editor will be:
PERSONAL - Why is getting rid of secondhand smoke important to you? Do you have a good story to tell to demonstrate your point? Use your own words - that's what makes you credible.
BRIEF - You never know how much space a newspaper will have to print your letter. So, state your view and make your point quickly. Don't worry about hitting every single fact and argument. Just pick a couple of points that matter most to you.
POSITIVE AND POLITE - Although this issue may be critically important to you, no one likes to be lectured or threatened. Try to express your concerns as politely and positively as possible.
The arguments in support of clean indoor air usually fall into these three categories: HEALTH - Secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard, even when exposure is minimal or infrequent. Secondhand smoke kills.
MORAL - Everyone should have equal access to public and work places without risking their health. Is it fair that that office workers are protected from secondhand smoke while hospitality and restaurant workers work in smoke-filled environments to make a living? Why should non-smokers (the vast majority of people) be harmed by a few smokers who are unwilling to wait to light up? Is it fair to deny access to someone with asthma by failing to protect them from secondhand smoke?
ECONOMIC - Non-smokers would be much more likely to go out if they knew they were enjoying the protection of a comprehensive clean indoor air ordinance. This would boost local business, increase sales tax receipts and reduce local government's reliance on property taxes.