Welcome to Skagit County

December 8th, 2005

SMOKE-FREE AIR COMING SOON TO SKAGIT COUNTY!
Frequently Asked Questions

Initiative 901 passed by an overwhelming majority expanding the indoor smoking ban to all bars, taverns, restaurants and other indoor public places. Secondhand smoke has been shown repeatedly to contribute to respiratory illness, heart attacks and other disease.

"Secondhand smoke kills, and there is no "safe" amount of it you can breathe. Smoke-free indoor air will make people healthier and save lives," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "This is an exciting time. This new law gives service workers and the thousands of people who go out to these establishments every day the opportunity to breathe easier."

The Tobacco Cessation Program, in cooperation with Skagit County Health Department, will have a two-month educational campaign; providing information to businesses, signs, and some compliance checks. Following the educational campaign, Skagit County Health will follow-up on complaints with possible enforcement action, which can be a $100 fine to a business.

Skagit County information/complaint line: 856-7384.
Call this number to get signs for posting at your business or to file a complaint regarding smoking in a public place.

Washington State Department of Health information line: 1-877-INFO-901

Web sites:
Washington State Department of Health: http://www.doh.wa.gov/tobacco/
Second Hand Smokes You: www.secondhandsmokesyou.com