The Grand Forks Tobacco Free Coalition’s mission to protect the public from the dangers of secondhand smoke involves advocating for policies. Since policymakers are elected by thier constituents to represent their common views, the coalition set out to find out what those common views may be.

In 2005, a Secondhand Smoke Study was conducted to assess the public’s awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke as well as thier opinons on enacting a law to protect people from those dangers .  As it turns out, there was strong support. (See the 2005 report HERE).  In July of 2005, the Grand Forks City Council enacted a local ordinace prohibiting smoking in workplaces and public places including restaurants.

In 2006, a community impact survey was taken to assess reactions to the recently enacted Smokefree Workplace and Public Place Ordinance.  Again, the community favored the new law that provided protection from seconhand smoke. (2006 Smokefree Ordinance Community Impact Study)

As almost five years have past and ”smokefree” becomes a national social norm, the Grand Forks Tobacco Free Coalition continues to advocate for stronger protections for all people from the dangers of secondhand smoke.

The coalition commissioned a second opinion survey in the fall of 2009 to assess the community’s support and readiness for a stronger Smokefree Workplace and Public Place Ordinance. 

The major conclusions from the 01-26-2010 Grand Forks Secondhand Smoke Study were:

A large majority (91%) believe secondhand smoke is a health hazard to those who breathe it.  

80 percent believe secondhand smoke is a “serious” health hazard for nonsmokers working in a bar or lounge where smoking is allowed. Bars and Lounges: 77 percent “strongly or somewhat support” expanding the smoke-free ordinance to prohibiting smoking in bars and lounges (6% somewhat oppose, 11% strongly oppose and 5% have no reaction).

Casino Gaming Sites: 78 percent “strongly or somewhat support” expanding the smoke-free ordinance to prohibiting smoking in casinos and gaming sites (7% somewhat oppose, 9% strongly oppose and 4% have no reaction).

Truck Stops: 81 percent “strongly or somewhat support” expanding the smoke-free ordinance to prohibiting smoking in truck stops (9% somewhat oppose, 7% strongly oppose and 2% have no reaction).

Nine out of ten respondents (90%) feel it is “very” or “somewhat” important to have a smoke-free environment inside all workplaces.

Bars and Lounges: 57 percent of respondents believe smoking should not be allowed in the building, 18 percent feel smoking should be prohibited in the building and grounds while conversely 19 percent believe smoking should be allowed in all areas.

Casino Gaming Sites: 57 percent of respondents believe smoking should not be allowed in the building, 18 percent feel smoking should be prohibited in the building and grounds while 18 percent believe smoking should be allowed in all areas.

Truck Stops: 63 percent of respondents believe smoking should not be allowed in the building, 20 percent bars feel smoking should be prohibited in the building and grounds while conversely 12 percent believe smoking should be allowed in all areas.

Over 9 out of 10 respondents (91%) believe that even though smoking is a legal activity, non-smokers have a right to breathe clean air in indoor public places, free from the smell and health effects of secondhand smoke.

79 percent of respondents feel that nonsmokers have a right to breathe clean air in public places and should have laws that prohibit smoking in these areas.

If all bars and lounges became smoke-free, 57 percent would frequent these establishments “just as often” while 25 percent indicated “somewhat more often” and four percent “much more often”. Twelve percent would patronize these businesses “much less often” (6%) and “somewhat less often” (6%).

A majority of respondents “strongly support” (67%) expanding the smoke-free ordinance in the City of Grand Forks to prohibit smoking in all workplaces. Fifteen percent “somewhat support” the expansion while seven percent “somewhat oppose”, seven percent “strongly oppose” and four percent did not have a reaction.     

To view the executive summary and full report of the 2009 Secondhand Smoke Survey, click HERE.