Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of death and disease in the United States. Cigarette smoking kills more than 480,000 Americans each year, with more than 41,000 of these deaths from exposure to secondhand smoke. In Washington State, tobacco kills about 8,300 people every year.
The only way to avoid the harmful effects of tobacco is to avoid using tobacco all together and avoid areas where you could be exposed to secondhand smoke. If you or someone you know currently uses tobacco, the best option is to quit in order to reduce the risk of developing a tobacco-related disease.
COVID-19 and Tobacco
As we learn more about COVID-19 we’re finding that smoking can make it harder for you to recover, and makes you more likely to get severely ill, need hospital care, or even have fatal complications. People who smoke may be more likely to develop serious health complications from COVID-19. Smoking weakens the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off viral infections – especially those attacking the lungs, like COVID-19. Additionally, initial findings suggest that vaping may increase lung inflammation and exacerbate lung infections. Need help quitting? Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit doh.wa.gov/quit
What is in a cigarette?
There are approximately 600 ingredients in cigarettes. When burned, they create more than 7,000 chemicals. At least 69 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer, and many are poisonous.
Here are a few of the chemicals in cigarette smoke and other places they are found:
- Acetone – found in nail polish remover
- Acetic Acid – an ingredient in hair dye
- Ammonia – a common household cleaner
- Arsenic – used in rat poison
- Benzene – found in rubber cement
- Butane – used in lighter fluid
- Cadmium – active component in battery acid
- Carbon Monoxide – released in car exhaust fumes
- Formaldehyde – embalming fluid
- Hexamine – found in barbecue lighter fluid
- Lead – used in batteries
- Naphthalene – an ingredient in mothballs
- Methanol – a main component in rocket fuel * Nicotine – used as insecticide
- Nicotine – used as insecticide
- Tar – material for paving roads
- Toluene – used to manufacture paint (ALA)
Quitting Tobacco
It’s never to late to quit tobacco. If you or someone you know is thinking about quitting, use these tools and resources listed below.
Quitting Resources PDF – English | Quitting Resources PDF – Spanish
WA-State-Tobacco-Sessation-One-Pager-GCHDWashington State Quit Lines
- English | 1-800-QUI-TNOW | 1-800-784-8669
- Spanish | 1-877-2NO-FUME | 1-877-266-3863
- Deaf & Hard of Hearing | 1-877-777-6534
- Getting Help to Quit Tobacco
- Benefits of Quitting | CDC
Smoke-Free Environments
Smoke- and tobacco-free environments help protect individuals from secondhand and thirdhand smoke. They also make it easier for people to quit and support those who have quit by eliminating potential triggers.
- Smoke-Free Housing
- Tobacco-Free Colleges
- Tobacco-Free Workplaces
- Tobacco-Free Parks
Laws
- Smoking in Public Places (RCW 70.160): Passed in 2005, the SIPP law requires every local public health district to enforce the law and educate businesses and employers about the law so they know how to comply with it.
- Tobacco and Vapor 21 Law Information | English |
- Tobacco and Vapor 21 Law | Frequently Asked Questions
Ordinances
Retailer Resources
- Explanatory Letter | English
- Do You Sell Tobacco or Vapor Products? | English
- Don’t Sell Tobacco or Vapor Products to Youth | English
The FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products has developed an education program called “This is Our Watch.” This program helps tobacco retailers better understand FDA tobacco regulations, the importance of compliance, and the greater purpose—protecting the nation’s youth from the harms of tobacco use. Retailers are encouraged, but not required, to display This Is Our Watch materials in stores. Participation is voluntary.
Free Program Materials
“This is Our Watch” program materials include a mix of educational pieces for owners, managers, and clerks, as well as a variety of point-of-purchase tools to inform customers of the law and emphasize the retailer’s role.
- Poster
- Register stickers
- Regulation flyers
- Age verification calendar
- Register signage
- Instruction booklet
- How to Update Your Digital Age Verification Calendar
Signage
Data
The Standardized Tobacco Assessments for Retail Settings (STARS) and Vape Shops (vSTARS) were conducted by 6 GCHD staff as part of our youth substance prevention programs in April 2017.
- Grant County STARS
- Moses Lake STARS
- Mattawa STARS
- George STARS
- Quincy STARS
- Grand Coulee STARS
- Ephrata STARS
- Royal City STARS
Report a Violation
Report a violation if you see:
- Secondhand smoke exposure near you
- Illegal underage sales
- Smoking/vaping in public places or the workplace
- If you believe the law is being violated
To submit a complaint against a business or workplace you believe is violating the SIPP law or the local vaping ordinance, call us at 509-766-7960
Only the police can enforce the law when an individual person smokes in violation of it. To report an individual who is violating the law, call your local police department.
Additional Resources
- Tobacco | DOH
- Be Tobacco Free
- Smoking & Tobacco Use | CDC
- Tobacco Products | FDA
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
- Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights
- Truth Initiative
- American Lung Association
- Talk to Your Kids about Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs
- Talk With Your Teen
Questions? Please call GCHD at 509-766-7960