| Protect Against Secondhand Smoke
How to Avoid Secondhand Smoke
In the Home:
- Post a polite sign on your front door - visitors appreciate knowing in advance that your home is a smokefree zone.
- If visitors miss the sign and begin to light up - be ready to politely request that they smoke outside - if you ask gently, they'll probably be very understanding.
- Remove all ashtrays.
- Let babysitters or other caregivers know in advance that you do not want any smoke around your children. Teach your children how to discreetly remove themselves from secondhand smoke they encounter in others' homes (playing outside where possible, or moving to another room).
- If you live with a smoker - chances are they feel badly enough about their habit and wish they could quit. Be gentle, but firm in your request that they smoke only outside.
- Support smokers who decide they're going to quit.
In Public Places:
- Ask in advance about smoking policies and let all hotels, tours, ships, rental car agencies, etc. know your preferences. Always take the smokefree options that are available. If one place isn't smokefree - choose another that is and let both places know the reason for your choice.
- Eat in smokefree restaurants, and let those that are not smokefree know the reason you won't patronize them.
- Order and use ANR's "Happiness is Smokefree Dining" restaurant stickers. Place them on your bill to let bar and restaurant owners know you vote with your wallet.
Further Steps for Nonsmokers:
- You can (and should) be polite to smokers, without giving up your quest to breath smokefree. In the rare instance where you encounter hostility - do not respond with hostility. Instead work to change the policy of the place you're in, and get help from those in charge of compliance with the policy.
- Write to public officials, newspapers, and businesses to promote clean air policies.
- Attend public meetings and express your views.
- Know the law, and,
- Support organizations in your area that are working to protect nonsmokers. These include local or state offices.
Thanks to ANR (Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights) for their list. For more information on nonsmokers' rights or to order restaurant stickers, write to ANR at 2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite J, Berkeley, CA 94702. You can also e-mail us at anr@no-smoke.org.
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