The
Great American Smokeout has been observed for over 30 years as a way to
encourage smokers to quit and to advocate for smoke-free laws and local
ordinances that protect communities from secondhand smoke exposure. Notable progress has been made in decreasing
smoking rates and protecting non-smokers from harmful exposure to secondhand
smoke. Yet smoking related diseases, such as lung and other cancers, remain the
leading causes of death. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention report 443,000 deaths each year are attributed
to smoking and secondhand smoke exposure. In Calaveras County, the adult smoking rate
[18.7%] remains significantly higher than the California state rate [11.9%].
The
Calaveras County Public Health Department is observing the Great American
Smokeout this November by recognizing restaurant owners in Murphys who have
voluntarily adopted no smoking policies in their outdoor dining areas. While state law requires smoke-free indoor
dining, outdoor dining is only smoke-free if there are voluntary policies from
owners or local jurisdiction policies. “The
Tobacco Prevention Program is working with restaurant owners to take action
that protects employees and patrons from the harmful effects of secondhand
smoke,” said Dr. Dean Kelaita, County Health Officer. “A healthy dining experience is good for
business and protects our County residents and visitors,” added Kelaita. The participating restaurants include:
Alchemy
Market & Café Magnolia
Café
Burgerz Murphys
Grille
Coyote
Creek Grill Murphys
Historic Hotel & Restaurant
El
Jardin Mineral
Restaurant
Gold
Country Roasters The
Peppermint Stick
Grounds V
Restaurant
Yogurt
Your Way
To
support the quit efforts of smokers, the Tobacco Prevention Program offers
no-cost Quit Kits and referrals to the California Smokers’ Helpline. The Smokers’ Helpline,1.800.NOBUTTS, offers
no-cost 1-1 cessation counseling by telephone.
Celebrate
the Great American Smokeout on November 15th by supporting smokers
that make a quit effort. We can move
Calaveras County one step closer to being a smoke-free community.
