KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - No butts about it...there are more smoke-free restaurants in King County than ever before, according to a recent telephone survey conducted by Public Health - Seattle & King County. The rate has risen to 66% currently, up from 64% in 1999 and 25% in 1990. This is one of the highest voluntary rates in a metropolitan area in North America!
Based on survey results, Public Health has produced a Smoke-Free Restaurant Guide for King County, which includes listings for more than 1,600 smoke-free restaurants. It is currently available online at: www.kingcounty.gov/health/tobacco. Printed copies of the Guide are available from Public Health at 206-296-7613.
Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including more nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, and cancer causing chemicals than smoke inhaled directly from a cigarette. Exposure to environmental smoke or secondhand smoke is responsible for more than 1,000 non-smoker deaths in Washington State each year. Secondhand smoke exposure also contributes to respiratory problems in young children and infants.
Federal Way restaurants targeted in recent recruitment campaign
Through its annual smoke-free restaurant campaign, Public Health - Seattle & King County encourages and supports restaurants throughout King County to become smoke-free. The restaurant campaign started in 1995 with a comprehensive plan to increase the number of smoke-free eating establishments in King County. Each year, one or two King County cities are selected to be part of an educational campaign encouraging restaurants to go smoke-free.
After a recent campaign in Federal Way, an additional 5% of Federal Way restaurants went smoke-free. Similar campaigns were conducted in Shoreline (1998), Tukwila (1998), Kirkland (1997), and Seattle (1996). All were very successful.As part of this ongoing educational campaign, Public Health staff make personal visits to area restaurants and provide them with information to help them in their efforts to go smoke-free. Public Health also surveys them about various issues concerning smoking in restaurants. Of the 624 restaurant owners surveyed from 1996 through 1999, 450 (72%) support a ban on smoking in all King County restaurants.
Restaurant owners and managers may receive more information on "going smoke-free" by calling Public Health - Seattle & King County's Tobacco Prevention Program at 206-296-7613.
