Extinguishing the tobacco epidemic in Arizona

ARIZONA KEY FACTSIn 2015, 34.7% of Arizona high school youth reported currently using any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes. Among Arizona high school youth, 10.1% reported currently smoking cigarettes.PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE TO TOBACCO USE IN ARIZONAThere is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. It causes stroke, lung cancer, and coronary heart disease in adults. In 2007, Arizona became the 10th state to enact a comprehensive smoke-free law that prohibits smoking in all indoor areas of workplaces, restaurants, and bars. However, smoke-free efforts did not end in 2007. Upon request, the state provides research, data and analysis, and scientific consultation to communities, multiunit housing operators, and colleges and universities that want to protect residents from secondhand smoke. In 2015, 10 local ordinances were enacted prohibiting tobacco use in parks or vehicles to protect children from secondhand smoke in these settings. Over a six-month period, the state worked with 20 multiunit property operators of more than 2,000 rental units to inform the development of smoke-free policies. The state continues to work with an additional 70 properties as they voluntarily transition to a smoke-free policy. Northern Arizona University recently enacted a tobacco-free campus policy, becoming the 5th tobacco-free campus in the state.For more information on tobacco prevention and control, visit cdc.gov/tobacco