(above) Lamont White of Casino Employees Against Smoking's Effects (CEASE) speaks at a rally and press conference announcing that CEASE and the United Auto Workers (UAW), which represents casino dealers in Atlantic City, filed a lawsuit against the State of NJ over the loophole in the state’s Smoke-Free Air Act that leaves casino workers exposed to secondhand smoke at their jobs. More coverage here & here.

(L-R) Theresa Lanuka, Jennifer Rubolino, and Clifford Wagner are casino employees & patrons who are fighting for smokefree air in Pennsylvania. They recently spent a day in Harrisburg, telling their story to lawmakers and asking for action on proposed updates to the state's Clean Indoor Air Act that currently exempts bars and casinos. Take action on HB1657 to call on members of the House of Representatives to move this life saving legislation. See: Action Alert  See news coverage here. 

ANRF has another tool in play when it comes to advocating for smokefree casinos - shareholder advocacy. Along with partner Trinity Health we are asking casinos to be accountable to shareholders and explore the real cost of allowing workers and visitors to be exposed to secondhand smoke. See AP coverage.

In light of the celebratory focus on marijuana in April, we bring clarity on cannabinoids and a reminder that smoke is smoke. For those advocates and partners who are interested in the latest research and policy discussions, be sure to attend our monthly marijuana office hour sessions. Register here.

NEW RESOURCE: The California Healthy Housing Coalition (CHHC) facilitated a discussion with partners (ANRF Project & Policy Manager Liz Williams was part of this team) to explore policy approaches to addressing secondhand smoke exposure in multi-family housing. The goal: develop principles that balance health protections with housing stability, creating equitable approaches without disproportionately impacting low-income and marginalized communities. This document aims to serve as a guide for communities interested in crafting fair solutions for all parties regarding this challenging issue.

Former ANR board member Donald Shopland, Sr. worked on the team to produce the 1964 Report on Smoking and Health - a landmark report that changed public health in the United States. In his book "Clearing the Air: The Untold Story of the 1964 Report on Smoking and Health," Don tells what it was like behind the scenes of the creation of this work.  

Join Traci Kennedy, ANR’s Midwest States Strategist, at this webinar with our partners, Action on Smoking and Health, and Parents Against Vaping E-Cigarettes, where the focus will be on the ongoing challenges posed by tobacco industry lobbying in public health policymaking.

ANNOUNCING OUR QUARTERLY LISTS AND MAPS UPDATE

In unfortunate news, the state of Ohio has enacted preemption, effective April 24, 2024.  Ohio municipalities are preempted from regulating use of tobacco and alternative nicotine products, including ESDs delivering nicotine.