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Home My WebLink About12-04-17 Public Comment - J. MacFarlane, Gallatin County Health Department - Tobacco Free ParksFrom:MacFarlane, Jen To:Agenda Subject:Letters of Support - Tobacco Free Parks (Attached) Date:Monday, December 04, 2017 10:05:04 AM Attachments:Bozeman Health Letter of Support for Tobacco-Free Parks_November 2017 (002) (002).pdf Bridgercare Letter of Support.pdf Letter of Support for Tobacco-Free Parks MSU.docx Letter of Support Health Officer.pdf Letter of Support_DPHHS.pdf Letter of Support_TC Cancer Coalition.pdf Monforton School Darren.pdf Letter of Support CCODA.docx Dear City Commissioners, Attached are letters from 8 community organizations supporting a Resolution for Tobacco Free Parks. In November, the Bozeman Parks Advisory Board voted to recommend a resolution for Tobacco Free Parks. The attached letters are in relation to that agenda item. Please consider these letters in your decision making process. · Bozeman Health · Bridger Care · Montana State University · Gallatin County Health Officer · Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services · Tri-County Cancer Coalition (Gallatin, Park, and Sweetgrass) · Monforton School District · Community Coalition on Drug Awareness For more information or clarification, please feel free to contact me at (406)582-3189 or jen.macfarlane@gallatin.mt.gov Jennifer MacFarlane / Health Promotion Specialist GALLATIN CITY-COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT _______________________________________________________________ P 406 582 3189 / F 406 582 3112 / W healthygallatin.org / File A Clean Indoor Air Violation | Order FREE Quit Line Materials and Signage 915 Highland Boulevard | Bozeman, MT 59715 | 406-414-5000 | bozemanhealth.org November 8, 2017 Dear Parks Advisory Board and City Council, We am writing on behalf of Bozeman Health to express our support for tobacco-free parks and athletic fields in Bozeman. By supporting a tobacco-free parks policy, the City of Bozeman is sending a clear message that we care about the health of our children and want them to make positive lifestyle decisions. A tobacco-free parks policy will ensure coaches, parents, friends, and family members can be positive role models by not using tobacco in recreational areas. Tobacco use not only exposes participants and spectators to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, but is a nuisance and safety concern. The litter caused by tobacco use diminishes the beauty of the city’s parks and can be accidentally ingested by young children and pets. A tobacco-free parks policy protects a healthful environment, and supports residents who have made the difficult decision to quit. Tobacco free parks create an inclusive environment and improves access for community members living with chronic diseases such as asthma and COPD. Our city parks should be places where we can improve our health, fitness, and relax in a healthy environment. An outdoor healthy life is integral to improving community health and quality of life. Allowing tobacco use in our parks is nothing but detrimental to health. We encourage you to make all city-owned parks and recreation facilities tobacco free. Our very best, John G. Hill Vickie Groeneweg President and CEO Chief Nursing Officer Bozeman Health Bozeman Health Dear Parks Advisory Board and City Council, I am writing to express my support for tobacco-free parks and athletic fields in our community. By supporting a tobacco-free parks policy, the City of Bozeman is sending a clear message that we care about the health of children in our community and want them to make positive lifestyle decisions. A tobacco-free parks policy will ensure coaches and parents can be positive role models by not using tobacco in recreational areas. Tobacco use not only exposes participants and spectators to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, but is a nuisance and safety concern. The litter caused by tobacco use diminishes the beauty of the city’s parks and can be accidentally ingested by young children and pets. Tobacco- free parks protects the environment, and supports residents who have made the difficult decision to quit. Tobacco free parks create an inclusive environment and improves access for community members living with chronic disease such as asthma and COPD. Our city parks should be places where we can improve our health, fitness and relax in a healthy environment. Of course, allowing tobacco use in our parks is nothing but detrimental to health. I encourage you to make all city-owned parks and recreation facilities tobacco free. Thank you, Rick Gale Community-Coalition On Drug Awareness Findings in Support of Tobacco Free Parks Tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke cause death and disease and impose great social and economic costs, as evidenced by the following:  More than 438,000 people die in the United States from tobacco-related diseases every year, making it the nation’s leading cause of preventable death;i and  In Montana, over 1,600 residents die each year from tobacco use.  If smoking continues at the current rate among youth in this country, 5.6 million of today’s Americans younger than 18 will die early from a smoking-related illness. That’s about 1 of every 13 Americans aged 17 years or younger alive today;ii and  Youth are more likely to use tobacco if they see that tobacco use is acceptable or normal.iii  The 2017 Montana Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicates that 32.7% of high school students currently use tobacco products. The use of Electronic Smoking Devices (e-cigarettes) among Montana teens has increased dramatically with 46.6% having used the products.  Data from the 2011, 2012, and 2013 National Youth Tobacco surveys of middle and high school students, show that youth who had never smoked conventional cigarettes but who used e-cigarettes were almost twice as likely to have intentions to smoke conventional cigarettes.iv  E-cigarette aerosol contains carcinogens, heavy metals, and other hazardous substances.v vi vii viii  Secondhand smoke is responsible for an estimated 38,000 deaths among nonsmokers each year in the United States, which includes 3,000 lung cancer deaths and 35,000 deaths due to heart disease;ix and  The Surgeon General has determined that secondhand smoke contains hundreds of chemicals that are known carcinogens or poisons, including formaldehyde, polonium-210, benzene, lead, cadmium, and nickel;x and  Smokeless tobacco use causes leukoplakia, a disease causing white patches that can become cancerous to form in the user’s mouth; smokeless tobacco products and cigars are known to cause lung, larynx, esophageal, and oral cancer;xi and the regular use of snuff doubles the user’s risk of cardiovascular disease and death.xii  Tobacco free parks are inclusive by making them more accessible to those living with or recovering from asthma, cancer, and other chronic diseases that require them to avoid secondhand smoke or aerosol from e-cigarettes.  According to the 2017 Community Health Needs Assessment of Gallatin, Madison, and Park Counties, over 88% of Bozeman residents do not smoke, and among area residents who do, and over one-third have tried to quit in the past 12 months.  Tobacco free parks encourage healthy choices among youth and support those who have made the difficult decision to quit.  Tobacco free parks show that our community’s health is a top priority.  By having policies, we can ensure that coaches, parents, and other role models do not smoke or use other forms of tobacco during recreational events. i CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, TARGETING TOBACCO USE: THE NATION’S LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH 2 (2007) [hereinafter TARGETING TOBACCO USE], available at www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/00_pdfs/AAGTobacco2007.pdf. ii U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General(http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/50th-anniversary/index.htm). Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2014 [accessed 2015 Jul 24]. iii U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Reducing Tobacco Use: A Report of the Surgeon General(http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/2000/index.htm). Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2000 [accessed 2015 Jul 24]. iv Nicotine Tob Res. 2015 Feb;17(2):228-35. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntu166. Epub 2014 Aug 20. v Williams, M, Villarreal, A, Bozhilov, K, Lin, S, Talbot, P. Metal and silicate particles including nanoparticles are present in electronic cigarette atomizer fluid and aerosol, PloS O A Sept. 2013. vi State of California Environmental Protection Agency Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. (2013). Chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. Available at:http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/files/P65single091313.pdf vii German Cancer Research Center. (2013). Red Series Tobacco Prevention and Tobacco Control Volume 19: Electronic Cigarettes – An Overview. Available at: www.dkfz.de/de/tabakkontrolle/download/Publikationen/RoteReihe/Band_19_ecigarettes_an_overview.pdf viii Goniewicz, M. et al. (2013). Levels of selected carcinogens and toxicants in vapour from electronic cigarettes. Tob. Control. 1:1–8. Available at: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23467656 ix NAT’L CANCER INST., NCI HEALTH INFORMATION TIP SHEET FOR WRITERS: SECONDHAND SMOKE (2005), available at www.cancer.gov/newscenter/tip- sheet-secondhand-smoke. x U.S. SURGEON GENERAL’S OFFICE, THE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF INVOLUNTARY EXPOSURE TO TOBACCO SMOKE: A REPORT OF THE SURGEON GENERAL 31-32 (2006) available at www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/secondhandsmoke/report/chapter2.pdf. xi NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE, SMOKELESS TOBACCO AND CANCER: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2 (2003), available at www.cancer.gov/images/Documents/018bcc3a-06d0-4858-bfb9-85acff215e9c/fs10_15.pdf. xii Dorothy K. Hatsukami and Herbert H. Severson, Oral Spit Tobacco: Addiction, Prevention, and Treatment, 1 NICOTINE & TOBACCO RESEARCH 21- 44, 29 (1999). MSU Office of Health Advancement University Health Partners 1102 S. 6th Avenue Bozeman, MT 59717 Tel (406) 994-4380 Fax (406) 994- 6644 Email healthadvancement@montana.edu November 29, 2017 Dear Parks Advisory Board and City Council, University Health Partners, Office of Health Advancement with Montana State University expresses full support for the tobacco-free parks and athletic fields initiative for the Bozeman community. We advocate for a built environment that allows our students, faculty and staff to make healthier choices and advocating for their health and well-being. In order for the community to understand the importance of these initiatives, we need consistent messaging throughout our county. Tobacco-free county parks and athletic fields will reinforce existing messages of health and safety. MSU has been a tobacco-free campus since 2012. This was done to decrease premature deaths in the state of Montana associated with tobacco use. It is estimated that 1,900 kids under the age of 18 who live in Montana will die prematurely from the complications of tobacco use. Difficulties arise when there are inconsistencies in policy. One of the reasons enforcement on campus continues to be a challenge is because tobacco use is permitted in other locations throughout the Bozeman community. Health and well-being messages need to be upheld throughout the city and on campus. By supporting a tobacco-free parks policy, a clear message will be sent that our community cares about the health and well-being of all its residents. A positive environment will be created making it easier for citizens to make healthier choices. Tobacco use is both a nuisance and a safety concern. Litter caused by tobacco use diminishes the beauty and safety of our parks, as well as contaminates our water supply and provides a hazard for wildlife and domestic pets utilizing our open space. Tobacco- free policies protect the environment, support residents, and promote a healthy community. Bozeman city parks are a place where residents can improve their health, relax in a safe and healthy environment, and enjoy their community. MSU, University Health Partners encourages Bozeman to make all city-owned parks and recreation facilities tobacco free. Yours in Good Health, Jim Mitchell, Senior Director, University Health Partners Montana State University Steve Bullock, Governor Sheila Hogan, Director Department of Public Health and Human Services Public Health and Safety Division ♦ Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program ♦ 1400 Broadway C314A ♦ Helena, MT 59620 ♦ Phone: 1-866-787-5247 ♦ Fax: 406-444-5900 October 31st, 2017 Members of the Gallatin County Parks and Recreation Board: As the Montana State Medical Officer and on behalf of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, I support the adoption of a tobacco-free parks policy in Gallatin County. Secondhand smoke is deadly.1 Secondhand smoke levels in outdoor public places can reach levels as high as those found in indoor facilities where smoking is permitted.1 While the concentration of outdoor tobacco smoke depends on several factors such as density of smokers and wind conditions, studies have shown that outdoor tobacco smoke is detectable between 23 and 29.5 feet away from the source.2 Furthermore, tobacco waste litters our lands. Cigarette butts are the most commonly discarded piece of waste in the world. It is estimated that 1.69 billion pounds of butts wind up as toxic trash each year.4 Cigarette butts are not biodegradable. Also, toddlers may ingest cigarette butts and contents of e-juice bottles that are discarded on the ground. In 2017, 1,224 e-cigarette devices and liquid nicotine poisonings were reported.5 Parks are established to promote healthy activities. The purpose of park areas is to promote community wellness, and tobacco-free policies fit with this idea. Furthermore, tobacco-free policies establish a community norm that tobacco use is not an acceptable behavior for young people or adults within the entire community. Implementing a tobacco-free parks policy in Gallatin County will promote positive community role modeling and protect the health, safety and welfare of its community members. Sincerely, Greg Holzman, MD, MPH Montana State Medical Officer Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Sources 1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2014. 2. Repace, J. (2000). “Banning Outdoor Smoking is Scientifically Justifiable.” Tobacco Control 9, p. 97 3. Cho, H et al. (2014). Outdoor tobacco smoke exposure at the perimeter of a tobacco-free university.64:8, 863 866 4. Americans for Nonsmokers Rights. (2016). Cigarette butt waste. Retrieved July 25, 2017, from http://www.no- smoke.org/learnmore.php?id=731 5. American Association of Poison Control Centers. E-Cigarettes and Liquid Nicotine. Retrieved October 25, 2017. http://www.aapcc.org/alerts/e-cigarettes/