Lessons Learned from the Implementation of a State Clean Indoor Air Law -New York- Ursula E. Bauer, Ph.D. Director, Tobacco Control Program NYS Department of Health

Background Comprehensive law passed and signed on March 26, 2003 –First NY law enacted in 1989 Effective July 24, 2003 –Four months to plan, collect baseline data, build support and provide resources, and implement law

Implementation Goals Build public support for the law, Raise expectations among employers and the public that compliance with the law will be high, Provide employers with the information they need to create smokefree environments for their employees and customers.

Implementation Activities Countdown events –Generate interest –Raise expectations –Build momentum and support Media and marketing –inform public of law –enhance understanding of law, why we have it –increase support for the law –raise expectations that compliance will be high

Implementation Activities Employer roundtables –Educate employers about How to implement the law successfully What benefits of the law are –Put employers at ease with the law, –Increase compliance with the law, –Allay concerns regarding of the laws impact on business.

Countdown Events Specific activities occurring across state at scheduled times, e.g. –Week of May 19: Celebratory event at smokefree restaurant or bar, one per catchment area –Week of June 24: Business roundtable discussions and information sessions –Week of July 10: Community activity Paid ad in local newspaper, daily Radio and TV talk shows Speaking tours at local events Distribute branded promotional items –On July 24: Community celebrations

Implementation Media Earned –Editorial board visits –Cultivating relationships with local reporters Human interest news stories, with positive slant –Letters to the editor Paid –Legacy ETS print ads –Community ads –CDC MCRC ads

Bartender Waitress Take It Outside

Business Roundtables Learn more about –the law and how it benefits businesses and employers; –how to implement the law successfully and with the least disruption to business; –secondhand smoke and the health and legal benefits of protecting workers from this health risk; Participate in building public support for the law, which will enhance compliance; and Meet other business owners and community members who share your concerns.

Implementation Toolkit Distributed via and on CD Toolkit and implementation trainings held for partners

Toolkit Contents Required Partner Actions, instructions and text of law –Countdown and other partner activities including instructions for hosting five required count down events and community business round table discussions Informational materials: fact sheets, brochures, Frequently Asked Questions (and answers) Recommended media messages, a timeline for broadcasting, and a menu of available promotional items (gear) Mailing lists for local employers and partners

Toolkit Contents Miscellaneous information, including –Contact information for county health departments and district health offices, where violations can be referred, –Partner activity tracking form to document clean indoor air-related activities –Relevant web sites

Evaluation Public support for law –Favor law –Prefer smokefree environments –Will go out more Level of compliance with law –Reports of violations –Observations –Air monitoring

Evaluation Economic impact –Sales tax revenue –Employment figures –Liquor licenses Health impact –Exposure to SHS –Symptoms associated with SHS among workers –Diseases associated with SHS

Lessons Learned Its never too early to collect baseline data You always have to make the case for –Dangers of secondhand smoke –Worker protection –Lack of economic impact Local data are more compelling than other data Its a public relations battle –Must be aggressively joined –Will be won on the editorial pages and through other media

Lessons Learned Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty (Wendall Phillips, 1852)