Contact:
Contact: Nancy Braden
Jefferson County Public Health Communications
303-239-7137 or nbraden@jeffco.us 

The Mayor of Wheat Ridge and the Tobacco-Free Wheat Ridge for Health Coalition have agreed to launch a community education and input process before moving forward with discussions about a draft ordinance that would strengthen the existing Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act.

The Mayor of Wheat Ridge, Jerry DiTullio, and the members of Tobacco-Free Wheat Ridge for Health, are in basic agreement about the dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke. Where agreement has been less certain is the issue of the process and scope of strengthening the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act locally to include making all indoor workplaces smoke-free, reducing youth access to tobacco products, and making some other outdoor public places (such as bus/transit shelters, outdoor customer service areas, and youth playgrounds and recreation areas) smoke-free.

During a Council work session in May, 2010, council members approved most of 9 components recommended to be included in a draft ordinance to be formally considered at a future session. The components, which were strongly supported by several council members, were presented to the full council last fall by members of the local coalition, health care providers, students and Jefferson County Public Health.

Jefferson County Public Health and members of the Tobacco-Free Wheat Ridge for Health Coalition recently met with Mayor DiTullio to better understand the mayor’s specific concerns about the draft ordinance. The Mayor voiced that a broader community education campaign is needed to help residents and the business community understand the issues, including the potential health and economic impact of strengthening the ordinance.

Mayor DiTullio also requested that additional opportunities be provided to weigh in on the proposed components before moving forward with a draft ordinance, including giving businesses an opportunity to educate the coalition about how changes in an ordinance might impact the cost of doing business and cause unintended economic hardship.

As a result of the meeting, Lynnette Namba, Chair of Tobacco-Free Wheat Ridge for Health, agreed that the current draft ordinance should be tabled so that a more extensive education and input process can be implemented. Coalition members, city leaders and the staff of the Tobacco Prevention Initiative will work to finalize plans for a such a process to begin in early fall.

“The community education and input process is essential to understanding the health and economic benefits of smoke free ordinances," said Namba, who is a resident of Wheat Ridge. "Forty Colorado communities have already passed local ordinances with similar components better protecting citizens from the harmful effects of tobacco and secondhand smoke. We are hopeful that Wheat Ridge will be added to that list.”  

Mayor DiTullio noted that there needs to be a balance between protecting those who are most vulnerable and at risk of the health effects of secondhand smoke exposure, and making broad changes without considering the potential unintended impact of those changes.

“We need to slow the process down and really consider how to have a win-win outcome for all the stakeholders. I think we can work toward that if we do a good job of educating people and inviting their input,” DiTullio said.

Jefferson County Public Health’s Tobacco Prevention Initiative team agrees. “We know the best approach to reducing tobacco’s harms and support sustainable change in communities is to engage community members who care about the issues and are willing to speak up,” said Donna Viverette, JCPH Tobacco Prevention Initiative supervisor. 

Recently, several council members who are in support of a stronger ordinance endorsed a grant application to the state from the health department to fund a process to raise awareness and get input from the community about various components. With the Mayor’s support, along with the existing council supporters, the group plans to move forward with an educational campaign, whether or not the grant is funded.

If you are interested in learning more about Tobacco-Free Wheat Ridge for Health or other tobacco prevention efforts in your community, contact the Tobacco Prevention Initiative at 303-275-7555 or dviveret@jeffco.us.