The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) has launched a new campaign to inform private clubs, bars, private schools and other organizations about changes in the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act (UICAA). Starting May 1, 2006 smoking will be prohibited in more public places in order to protect more Utahns and visitors from secondhand smoke, a Class A carcinogen.

The UDOH is initially distributing postcards and letters to organizations impacted by the law. TV and radio spots, posters and other materials will follow later in the year to inform the public about the different aspects of the law, and enforcement dates.

The 2006 Utah State Legislature passed Senate Bill 19, which strengthened the UICCA and eventually bans smoking in all classes of private clubs and taverns. First, taverns and Class D private clubs that receive licenses after May 15, 2006 must be smoke free. As of January 2007, all Class A, B, and C private clubs will go smoke free as well. Then, on January 1, 2009, all taverns and Class D private clubs will become smoke free. (Class A includes country clubs; Class B, lodges and patriotic clubs; Class C, fine dining establishments with liquor licenses where at least 50 percent of the business is made through the sale of food; and Class D, private clubs where less than 50 percent of business is made by selling food.)

Many other organizations are also impacted by the law as of May 1:

1. Unlicensed day care providers. Now, both licensed and unlicensed day care providers must prevent smoking by employees, parents or others where day care is taking place.
2. Private elementary and secondary schools. Smoking is now prohibited in both public and private schools. School administrators are being asked to notify employees and visitors of the smoke-free policy, which includes the grounds during both school and non-school hours.
3. Social, fraternal and religious organizations may no longer allow smoking inside buildings used for social or religious events.
4. All workplaces with no public access are now required to be smoke free. The former law allowed smoking areas for employees of selected businesses.
5. Facilities rented or leased for private functions, such as weddings, also have the responsibility to be smoke free and to inform patrons that all events on the premises are smoke free.

"Controlling the public's exposure to the pollutants of secondhand smoke has become an international health concern. We are pleased that Utah has taken steps to strengthen the existing law and protect more Utahns from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke," said Heather Borski, Tobacco Prevention and Control Program manager, UDOH. "Every year more than 50,000 Americans die from secondhand smoke-related diseases including heart disease and lung cancer. Adopting smoke-free policies is an effective way to eliminate unhealthy and dangerous environments."

Utah joins California, Colorado, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Montana, Vermont, Washington, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and Washington DC in passing comprehensive smoke-free workplace legislation including restaurants and bars.

To kick off the educational effort, select bars, clubs and businesses will go smoke free for one day. On May 4, patrons and workers will get a taste of what it will be like after January 1, 2009 when all bars and clubs will be smoke free.

"We support 'Smoke-Free Utah' and look at May 4 as the first step toward going smoke free in the future," said Spencer Alston, co-owner of the Bayou. "Although some customers may be unhappy initially, we know this will ultimately be the best decision for the health of our employees and the total experience for our customers."

The public can access specific information about the various aspects of the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act by visiting the UDOH's Tobacco Prevention and Control Web site at www.tobaccofreeutah.org

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