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This page presents links to many resources who claim to be concerned about controlling tobacco. Perhaps some of them may be able to truly address the problem of tobacco smoke directly and severely injuring bystanders who have medical reason to totally avoid all exposure to a pervasive Class A carcinogen that the U.S. Surgeon General tells us that there is no safe level of exposure for anyone.
The Smoke-Free Environments Law Project, at The Center for Social Gerontology, has a number of very informative summary papers on such areas as the "The Federal Fair Housing Act and the Protection of Persons Who are Disabled by Secondhand Tobacco Smoke in most Private and Public Housing."
Return to the top of this pageContact GASP (Group to Aleviate Smoking Pollution) of Colorado.
in Colorado. See their Education Center. Return to the top of this pageContact S.A.F.E. in California.
in California. Return to the top of this pageContact Smokefree Apartments -
in California. Return to the top of this pageContact Public Health law
Contact Smoking Hurts in San Antonio, Texas.
Contact Breath in California.
Return to the top of this pageThe following site supports tobacco control efforts in Boulder County, and is in the process of developing local smokefree housing.
Return to the top of this pageThe following web site lists rental housing around Colorado that claim to provide smokefree premises. Definitely check them out very well before committing to a rental agreement.
The following web site is for managers of rental housing around Colorado that supposedly provide smokefree premises.
Return to the top of this pageContact Michigan Smokefree Apartments -
Return to the top of this pageContact Association for NonSmokers' Rights of Minnesota -
Return to the top of this pageThe Access Board is a Federal Agency that emphasizes accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Return to the top of this pageContact Action on Smoking & Health (ASH) in Washington D.C.
Return to the top of this pageContact Americans for NonSmokers' Rights in California.
Return to the top of this pageContact the Tobacco Law Project -
Return to the top of this pageAnd do file an ADA complaint.
Before seeking the protection of ADA from second-hand smoke, ask yourself the following three questions:
If you have answered "yes" to these three questions and you are still being denied a reasonable accommodation or policy modification, you may wish to consider asserting your rights to smoke-free air under the Americans with Disabilities Act or state disability anti-discrimination statute.
For more information about the The Americans with Disabilities Act, see -
Return to the top of this pageOr file an OSHA complaint. While OSHA has traditionally handled workplace health issues, they are increasingly addressing the secondhand tobacco smoke problem throughout our society.
How to File an OSHA Complaint Regarding Secondhand Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS). The following text discusses filing a complaint for a workplace situation. Change the text appropriately for your situation.
People who have a concern about ETS (secondhand smoke) in the workplace can request that a letter be sent to employers/owners from OSHA. The process is handled electronically through an OSHA website. The identity of the person &quit;filing&quit; the complaint and requesting the letter be sent can be kept confidential, if requested on the complaint form. Please refer to the following web sites for instructions on accessing filing the complaint form.
The OSHA complaint process is described at:
The OSHA complaint can be filed through the Internet, beginning at
Load the OSHA complaint form at this web site:
Complete the OSHA complaint form online at:
or download it at:
When filing a complaint against an Establishment (Bar, Restaurant, Night Club and/or etc.) because of ETS exposure, please use the OSHA complaint form OSHA-7, Notice of Alleged Safety and/or Health Hazards.
Be prepared to have the Establishment Name, Establishment Street Address, City, Zip Code, Establishment Phone Number, Establishment Fax Number (if known), Owner/Manager Name (if known), and Type of Business. There are some additional entries but they are self-explanatory.
If the person filing the complaint wants to receive a copy of what was faxed to the Establishment/Employer, then the person needs to give their name and mailing address. Please note that there is a box on the OSHA complaint form for the complainant to check-off that they do not want their name revealed to the employer.
The OSHA 'phone & fax' method gives the Establishment/Employer five (5) days to respond back to OSHA with a formal written reply to the complaint allegation(s). If the Establishment/Employer requests additional time to make corrective actions, then a reasonable amount of time is usually granted as long as the employer is held to a new response date and as long as the Establishment/Employer provides additional written documentation of what corrective measures were implemented.
Important Detail - When preparing the complaint include the following or similar language on the form:
Also important - do not mention 'smokers' or 'smoking' - you are affected by secondhand tobacco smoke. You are is not 'bothered' by smokers; you is not concerned about people smoking. You are, as has been pointed out by your doctors, must be accorded smokefree air in your living spaces. Do not allow people to change the subject to smoking.
Examples include:
This section lists references to many articles about smokefree housing and concerns.
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of childhood neurological problems
and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A study in Denmark and
Finland reported ADHD rates were significantly higher if the mothers smoked
ten or more cigarettes a day during pregnancy.
Obel, Carsten, et. al. Smoking During Pregnancy and Hyperactivity inattention
in the Offspring.
International Journal of Epidemiology, 2008
Smoking significantly increases the rates of macular degeneration onset and
continued development. This study did not report any relation between the
macular degeneration and secondhand tobacco smoke, but more research is needed
in that area.
Klein, Ronald, et/ al. Further Observations on the Association between Smoking
and ... Macular Degeneration.
Archives of Ophthalmology, 126(1):115-121. January 2008
A study in Singapore reported that secondhand tobacco smoke significantly
increased the risk of eye and nose irritation among children in day care
facilities.. The study also reported that secondhand tobacco smoke was
associated with significantly higher levels of asthma, rhinitis, and
rhinoconjunctivitis.
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 146(1):57-65. December 2007
Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risks of sudden infant syndrome
(SIDS),asthma, respiratory infections, and middle ear infection considerably
more than previously believed. The smoke was also associated with behavioral
and learning problems in the children.
Yolton, Kimberly, et. al., Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke and
Cognitive Abilities among U. S. Children and Adolescents.
Environmental Health Perspectives, 113(1):98-103. January 2008
Since Minnesota's "Freedom to Breathe Act" went into effect on October 1, 2007,
hospitality workers have experienced significantly reduced rates of exposure
to the lung cancer causing materials in the smoke.
Tobacco smoke and lead synergistically increases the incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) according to new research at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Children exposed to the combination of lead and tobacco smoke were some eight times more likely to develop ADHD.
A study based on over 2,000 Italian women reports that second hand tobacco
smoke significantly increases the risk of getting asthma and its complications
among people who never smoke.
Simoni, Marzia, et. al., Respiratory Symptoms ... in Never Smoked Italian
Women.
Respiratory Medicine, August 2006
Here are links to archives of many of the tobacco industry documents that were released as a result of recent legal actions. Just in case you wish to do further basic research. One detail that came out from these documents is the fact that some of the tobacco companies were very interested in the effects of pesticides on tobacco many years ago. Just perhaps they knew that tobacco smoke was very bad for everyone back then?
Here are several search engines in case you wish to do more research from this page -
Follow the links below to learn more about RMEHA and Environmental Illness.