Smoke-Free Parks

1. Smoke-Free Parks

2. IMPACT’S Long Term Goal • To improve health in Fresno County by changing community norms to de-normalize smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.

5. IMPACT’S Intermediate Goal • Enactment of an ordinance/policy by Fresno City Council creating smoke-free parks in the City of Fresno

6. Cigarette Litter Hurts Everyone • Cigarette Butt Trash Over 4.5 trillion cigarettes are littered worldwide each year. They are the most littered item in the world. Cigarette butts make our parks look dirty and uninviting. • Cigarette Butts are Hazardous In 1995, the American Association of Poison Control Centers received 7,917 reports of nicotine ingestion among children under age six. Soon after eating a tobacco product, a child will show signs of poisoning. Although many will vomit and recover, some will experience severe effects, such as irregular heartbeat and seizures. Cigarettelitter.org, “cigarette litter” http://cigarettelitter.org, accessed May 2002. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “ingestion of Cigarettes and cigarette butts by children-Rode Island, January 1994-Julay 1996, “Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, February 14, 1997, 125-128

7. Effects of Smoke-Free Parks In The Community • Parks visitors and employees will be protected from exposure to secondhand smoke in city parks. • Dangerous and unsightly cigarette butt litter will be reduced. • Smokers visiting city parks will be encouraged to consider quitting smoking because of the city ordinance. • Children will be protected from SHS throughout the parks. • Cities can save money by posting the smoking ban at park entrances.

8. How Do We Get there? • IMPACT Smoke-Free Parks Task Force Coalition • Mini-Grants • Networking • Resources

9. Targets • Fresno City Council Members Photo: Starting bottom left - Cynthia Sterling, Jerry Duncan, Hilda Cantú  Montoy (City Attorney), Tom Boyajian, Becky Klisch (City Clerk), Brad Castillo. Top starting at left - Mike Dages, Henry T. Perea, Brian Calhoun.

10. “The mind has exactly the same power as the hands, not merely to grasp the world, but to change it” Colin Wilson

11. What is Advocacy? • An advocate is a person who argues for a cause; a supporter or a defender.

12. Principles of Advocacy • Get organized. • Never lie or mislead a policy maker. • Look for friends in unusual places. • Do not grab credit. • Never promise anything you can’t deliver. • Do not waste your time on opponents who are publicly committed to their position. • Never forget a “thank you” to anyone who has helped you.

13. Who Are Our Allies? • Groups or individuals who care enough about the issue to join or help!

14. The Next Step! Let’s Get Organized!

15. Tobacco Control Coalition • Catch the vision • Midwest Academy Strategy Chart • Find Allies

16. Park Cleanup and Celebration • Youth Services Network Commissioners • Einstein Park Cleanup • Celebrate Garbage

31. Media • Multiple Press Releases • From Different Agencies • Sent at Various Times in Different Modalities

32. Surveys • Assess Public Opinion • Results Drive Policy

33. Youth Advocacy • Prepare • Rehearse • Role Play

34. Before the City Council • Youth Take the Lead • Rally the Troops • Provide the Proof

35. Lessons Learned • Don’t Give Up • Get Organized • Media is Essential • Youth can Accomplish what Adult Coalitions Can’t • Council Members are Politicians