Jan Doherty, Public Education Officer, No Phone Number Available
Friday, November 13, 2015 at 3:40 p.m.
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anthony Sanchelli [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Fire departments across the nation applaud the 38th year of “The Great American Smoke Out” that will be observed November 19th. It is one tool for helping people work towards a smoke-free life style. Fire departments recognize that cigarettes are still the number one cause of fire fatalities. While unattended cooking causes more fires, careless smoking causes more residential fire deaths.
Spokane Regional Health District has been a lead agency in our community in the effort to link smokers to free smoke cessation resources. They also have created a report on the benefits of smoke-free rental units that can be accessed on their website. Interesting statistics from their surveys indicate the following: 75% of people who currently smoke in Washington prefer to live in smoke-free housing and 95% of Spokane Housing Authority residents reported they would still renew their leases with a no-smoking indoor policy.
Many people don't recognize the danger of snuffing out a cigarette outdoors in potting soil. There have been some dangerous and expensive fires in individual homes as well as in multi-family apartments here that were started because of a smoldering cigarette butt placed in an outdoor planter or flower garden.
Take a deep breath on November 19th and appreciate the benefits of smoke-free living!
