community action kit - us epa€¦ · smoke-free homes community action kit 3 what you need to know...

Smoke-free Homes

Community Action Kit

EPA 402-C-06-005June 2006

Customizable letters to the editor, public service announcements, and more

Slide presentations on “Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke”

State and national Smoke-free Homes contacts

FREE outreach and educational tools

What’s Inside

To Take the Pledge, Visit www.epa.gov/smokefree

Smoke-free Homes Community Action Kit

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

What You Need to Know ................................................................................................... 3

Section 1: How to Use this Kit ..................................................................................... 4

How is the Kit Organized? ........................................................................................ 4

How Do You Use the Information? ..................................................................... 4

Section 2: Outreach Activities ..................................................................................... 5

Suggested Activities ....................................................................................................... 5

Local Programs’ Activities ......................................................................................... 6

Boulder County (CO) Health DepartmentTobacco Education and Prevention Partnership .......................................... 6

Carbon-Monroe-Pike Counties, Pennsylvania,Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc. ................................................................... 6

West Virginia Division of Tobacco Prevention ............................................... 6

Ideas for Other Activities ............................................................................................ 7

Smoke-free Childcare ............................................................................................... 7

Outreach to Diverse Communities ...................................................................... 7

Community Baby Showers ..................................................................................... 8

Issue a Press Release ................................................................................................. 9

Coordinate and Publicize Special Events ......................................................... 9

Write a Letter to the Editor ................................................................................... 9

Write Opinion Editorials ........................................................................................ 10

Identify and Use Public Service Announcements (PSAs) ......................... 10

Submit an Article ...................................................................................................... 10

(Click here to view and print a PDF document that includes all pages of the Kit and all of the linked files.)

To Order Smoke-free Homes Program Materials,Call IAQ INFO at 1-800-438-4318


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Table of Contents

Section 3: Resources for Outreach ....................................................................... 11

How Can EPA Assist You? ......................................................................................... 11

Partnerships ................................................................................................................ 11

EPA’s Smoke-free Homes Products .................................................................... 12

EPA’s Asthma Products ........................................................................................... 15

What Additional Resources Are Available? ................................................. 16

Technical Studies and Reports ............................................................................ 16

Video .............................................................................................................................. 16

Customizable Documents ..................................................................................... 16

Section 4: Ordering and Contact Information .......................................... 17

How to Order EPA Products ................................................................................... 17

Contact Information .................................................................................................... 17



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What You Need to Know

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed this Smoke-free Homes Community Action Kitto assist you in educating your community about the risks that secondhand smoke exposure poses to children’shealth. The information and materials provided in this Kit are designed to help you develop ideas, implementactivities, and identify the resources available to initiate (or enhance) an existing community-based campaign toreduce children’s exposure to secondhand smoke.

Why is this important? Studies show that infants and young children whose parents smoke indoors can beseverely affected by exposure to secondhand smoke. These children are at increased risk for a number of healthproblems, including lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. EPA estimates thatsecondhand smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke, is responsible for between 150,000 and300,000 lower respiratory tract infections annually in infants and young children under 18 months of ageresulting in 7,500 to 15,000 hospitalizations each year. Children regularly exposed to secondhand smoke aremore likely to suffer from symptoms of respiratory irritation like coughing, excess phlegm, and wheezing.Secondhand smoke can also lead to a buildup of fluid in the middle ear, the most common cause of childhoodoperations requiring hospitalization.

Children with asthma are especially at risk from exposure to secondhand smoke. EPA estimates that up to onemillion children with asthma have their condition made worse by secondhand smoke exposure. In addition, a2000 National Academy of Sciences study suggested an association between young children’s exposure tosecondhand smoke and the development of new cases of asthma in children who had not previously displayedsymptoms of the disease.

Nationally, EPA has worked with many organizationsto inform the public about the health risks, but weneed help locally – in your community. ThisCommunity Action Kit helps you take action byproviding resources and suggested activities to connectwith your local media, businesses, civic groups, andcommunity groups. These activities will help makereal progress in reducing the number of childrenexposed to secondhand smoke both in yourcommunity and nationwide.

“EPA’s Community Action Kit is a greatresource – very comprehensive and wellorganized. We have found the Smoke-freeHomes Program to be a great way to reachpregnant women and families with youngchildren.” Joan, Rice County Minnesota PublicHealth Nursing Service, Minnesota

What You Need to Know

Thank you for your interest in takingaction to protect children’s health!


Community Action Kit

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Section 1: How To Use This Kit

EPA’s Smoke-free Homes Community Action Kitprovides important information to helporganizations implement community-focusedprograms to reduce children’s exposure tosecondhand smoke.

How is the KitOrganized?The Kit is organized into three main sections thatcover the following topics:

Ideas for outreach activities and samples of localprograms.

Free resources available for your outreachactivities.

Resource ordering, reference, and contactinformation.

The Kit contains useful tools such as customizableletters, a sample press release, a ready-madesecondhand smoke presentation (in both Englishand Spanish), and sample public serviceannouncements (PSAs). You can click on theunderlined links in the Kit to navigate through thevarious sections and attachments. A print-readyversion of the entire Kit is available on the CD-ROM and can be accessed by clicking on the link inthe Table of Contents.

How Do You Usethe Information?This Kit centers around the Smoke-free Home Pledge– a tool to help you secure commitments fromparents and other caregivers in your community tomake their homes smoke free. After taking the

Pledge, parents receive materials to help themcommunicate that smoking is not allowed in theirhome. Pledges can be made in person, by calling theSmoke-free Home Pledge Hotline (1-866-SMOKE-FREE), or by visiting EPA’s Web site: www.epa.gov/smokefree.

Use these steps to plan and implement effectivesmoke-free homes activities in your community tohelp families live healthier, happier lives.

Section 1: How to Use This Kit

Steps to Getting Started1. Review the Kit for ideas of activities that

could work in your community.

2. Determine how you can incorporateSmoke-free Home messages into yourexisting activities.

3. Review the list of free resources andidentify materials that will complementyour planned activities.

4. Use the sample letters in the Kit to inviteother organizations to join in or co-sponsor an event or activity.

5. Promote your program and obtain localcoverage on secondhand smoke andupcoming events.

6. Celebrate your successes and share themwith EPA.

www.epa.gov/smokefree




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Section 2: Outreach Activities


Hold community events!

Community baby showers

Health fairs

Carnivals

School or childcare center open houses andback-to-school events

State/county/city fairs

Anniversary events of state and local“CleanIndoor Air” campaigns

Create educational activities!

Songs Scavenger hunts

Coloring books Puppet shows

There are a variety of activities you can undertake tosupport and build your smoke-free homes program.This section:

Lists some activities you might try in yourcommunity.

Highlights examples of successful smoke-freehomes programs from three states.

Details three specific activities and associatedresources that have been used successfully by othersmoke-free homes programs.

As you review the activities listed below and begin toplan your own program, keep in mind that EPA has avariety of free products and resources available to assistin your efforts. For a listing of resources see Section 3,and for ordering information see Section 4.

SuggestedActivitiesConsider using one or more of the activities listedbelow to promote your smoke-free homes program.

Host educational workshops

Hold a poster design contest

Sponsor pledge challenges

Host smoke-free homes storytelling events

Post pledges to maintain smoke-free environmentson a community pledge wall

Link your Web site to EPA’s Smoke-free HomesWeb site

Promote EPA’s Smoke-free Home Pledge Hotline

Sponsor “No Tobacco Day” at a sporting event

Create a smoke-free homes mascot

Make goodie/tote bags to distribute at events

Sponsor movie theater advertisements

Show videos in healthcare settings and waitingrooms

Generate media publicity

Secure guest speaking spots on local radio orcable network stations

Create opportunities to air radio andtelevision public service announcements(PSAs)

Place stories and op-ed pieces in your localnewspaper

Coordinate with community asthma events



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Local Programs’ActivitiesThese examples highlight local programs that areusing unique approaches to promote smoke-freehomes in their communities. For other case studiesof effective local programs, please see EPA’s LocalPrograms Promoting Smoke-free Homes series at:www.epa.gov/smokefree/community.html.

Boulder County (CO) HealthDepartment Tobacco Educationand Prevention PartnershipCollaboration: Partnered with Community Infant

Project, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)clinics, “Bright Beginnings” educational programfor new parents, and physicians to educate thepublic about secondhand smoke.

Publicity: Produced articles and print advertisementsand placed them in parenting publications, thelocal newspaper, and a childcare center newsletter.

Workshops: Conducted training sessions for WICand childcare staff on the Smoke-free HomePledge and how to communicate with parentsand caregivers. Provided child care centers with asample education policy including strategies forcommunicating the Smoke-free Home Pledgecampaign message to parents and caregivers.

Funding: Secured an EPA regional grant to supportthe program.

Carbon-Monroe-Pike Counties,Pennsylvania, Drug and AlcoholCommission, Inc.Puppet Shows: Developed short puppet shows

discussing the dangers of cigarettes and

secondhand smoke and performed them forkindergarten and pre-school audiences.

Community Events: Displayed the Smoke-freeHomes Display Booth at health fairs and expos,county fairs, school health and safety fairs, and alocal mall community day event.

Games: Developed the “Wheel of Misfortune,” aneducational tool for elementary school childrenthat addresses the dangers of secondhand smoke.

Publicity: Ran advertisements on billboards and inmovie theaters promoting smoke-free homes.

Funding: Supported by the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Health and the Single CountyAuthority (SCA), providing administrative,planning, and coordination support.

West Virginia Division ofTobacco PreventionCollaboration: Partnered with the American Lung

Association of West Virginia to promoteprograms addressing secondhand smoke andclean indoor air.

Business Community Partnerships: Partnered withthe Wellness Council of West Virginia to reachout to businesses by promoting the Smoke-freeHome Pledge to employees and their families.

Workshops: Trained counselors in the “Right fromthe Start Program” to counsel Medicaid-eligiblepregnant women about smoking cessation andinfant and child secondhand smoke exposure.

Asthma Partnerships: Collaborated with the WestVirginian Asthma Education Program to includesecondhand smoke messages in their outreach tofamilies and physicians of children with asthma.

Funding: Secured a grant from EPA to fund thisprogram.

www.epa.gov/smokefree/community.html



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Ideas for OtherActivities

Smoke-free ChildcareChildcare facilities and programs geared towardyoung children (such as Head Start and WIC) are anideal setting for outreach activities. For example,many childcare facilities are already smoke-free.Childcare programs reach low-income and minoritycommunities with higher-than-average smokingrates and often require parents to participate instructured childcare.

Consider the following activities for childcarefacilities:

Provide training and materials to facility staffto educate them about secondhand smoke andyour smoke-free homes program. EPA’sSecondhand Smoke Slide Presentation can be usedfor the training along with EPA’s customizablefact sheet and the Smoke-free Home PledgeBrochure.

Identify existing activities where secondhandsmoke messages and materials may beincorporated. You can customize the lettersprovided in this Kit to reach out to childcarefacilities in your community to share the Smoke-free Homes message.

Speak to parents to determine their smokingbehavior and to identify families that allowsmoking in the home.

Train family advocates to educate parents aboutthe benefits of keeping their homes smoke-free.Incorporating EPA’s products, such as Help YourChild Gain Control Over Asthma, the Smoke-freeHome Pledge Brochure, and Smoke-free HomePledge Poster, can help you educate families ofchildren with asthma about the linkage betweensecondhand smoke and asthma.

Train teaching staff to incorporate secondhandsmoke lessons into their curricula. Dusty theAsthma Goldfish and His Asthma TriggersFunbook is a learning tool that teachers can sharewith their students. For more examples of howother organizations have incorporated smoke-freehomes messages into classroom lesson plans, referto EPA’s Local Programs Promoting Smoke-freeHomes series.

Develop a newsletter with smoke-free homesmessages to send home to parents. Considerincorporating information from EPA’scustomizable fact sheet on secondhand smokeand the Smoke-free Home Pledge Brochure intothe newsletter.

Train home visit staff to include Smoke-freeHomes messages in their consultations. To helpeducate parents about triggers (includingsecondhand smoke) of the child’s asthma,encourage home visit staff to use EPA’s Clearingthe Air: 10 Steps to Making Your Home Asthma-friendly.

Host a “kick-off” or “end-of-year” event forchildren and families in the center or facility.Displaying EPA’s Smoke-free Homes DisplayBooth and Smoke-free Homes Banner will helpyou capture families’ attention. You can also usethe Planning Guide for Pledge Events to collectSmoke-free Home Pledges from parents andprovide certificates and other materials forfamilies who take the pledge.

Outreach to DiverseCommunitiesNot in Mama’s Kitchen is one example of a successfulnationwide secondhand smoke campaign targetingdiverse communities. This program uses acommunity-focused approach and the power offamily, church, and food to encourage women inAfrican-American and Latino communities to createsmoke-free zones.



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The Not in Mama’s Kitchen campaign, as well asEPA’s bilingual materials, can be integrated into avariety of programs targeted at reaching out todiverse audiences. Add enthusiasm and creativity toany smoke-free strategy by considering thefollowing activities:

Involve churches and other community groupsto gain support for your program. Considerdisplaying the Smoke-free Homes Display Boothand Smoke-free Homes Banner at churchfunctions (e.g., dinners, picnics, church camps)and using the Planning Guide for Pledge Eventsto encourage church members to take the Smoke-free Home Pledge.

Reach out to media outlets that haveprogramming designed for your target audience.Distributing copies of the customizable letters inthis Kit can help you educate station managers,producers, and editors about secondhand smoke.You can also provide media outlets with copies ofpublic service announcements (PSAs).

Train community health advocates to conductpledge drives based on EPA’s Planning Guide forPledge Events. Be sure to reward everyone whotakes the pledge with an item to remind them oftheir commitment (e.g., a fan, pot holder, coinpurse, or coloring book). You can reach out tocommunity organizations with the customizableletters included with this Kit.

Partner with Not in Mama’s Kitchen to design acampaign specific to your community and yourtarget audience. For more information onpartnering with Not in Mama’s Kitchen, pleasevisit: www.notinmamaskitchen.org.

Community Baby ShowersPart health fair, part community party, these eventshosted by local American Lung Association chaptersand other local groups are effective in reaching outto low-income and minority pregnant women and

new parents. Showers can provide information on awide range of health topics such as secondhandsmoke, child nutrition, asthma, and lead screening.

Set up a display area at the community babyshower. Consider using the Smoke-free HomesDisplay Booth and Smoke-free Homes Banner. Youcan distribute copies of the Smoke-free HomePledge Brochure and Smoke-free Home PledgePoster and a customized fact sheet to educateexpectant parents about the dangers ofsecondhand smoke.

Conduct a Smoke-free Home Pledge drivebased on EPA’s Planning Guide for Pledge Eventsto collect pledges at the baby shower.

Provide giveaways promoting your smoke-freehomes program. Consider including Smoke-freeHomes magnets, coasters, window stickers,placemats, and posters.

Educate baby shower participants about theconnections between secondhand smoke andasthma. Dusty the Asthma Goldfish and HisAsthma Triggers Funbook is a fun activity foryoung children accompanying parents to thebaby shower to learn about asthma andsecondhand smoke. You can educate parentsabout steps they can take to reduce asthmatriggers in the home by distributing Clearing theAir: 10 Steps to Making Your Home Asthma-Friendly and Help Your Child Gain Control OverAsthma.

Promote your smoke-free homes efforts andthe community baby shower to local media. Thecustomizable article and letters found in this Kitcan assist you with educating the media aboutyour program. You may also want to invite themedia to come and help you collect pledges atyour event (this is also a good way to get footageof your program “in action”). Remember thatparents who have taken the pledge can serve aspowerful spokespeople for your program.

www.notinmamaskitchen.org



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Issue a Press ReleaseA press release is a succinct account of your story(usually one page) written as a news article,following the “5W’s and H” format: provide thewho, what, where, when, why, and how of thestory.

Issue a press release to publicize an event orprogram, announce an upcoming activity or newinitiative, or report relevant news.

Write releases in an “inverted pyramid” format(i.e., the most important information comes firstand the least important information is last, whichallows the editor to cut the story to fit in theavailable space).

Coordinate and Publicize SpecialEventsSpecial events (e.g., an opening day, an anniversary, anationally, or locally, recognized day or week ofcelebration) are great opportunities to gain mediacoverage.

Encourage other community organizations,leaders, or VIPs to participate.

Publicize the attendee list, the issues to beaddressed, and the planned events when youcontact the media.

Provide story options to convince each mediaoutlet to send a reporter or film/audio crew.

Write a Letter to the EditorThe Letter to the Editor section is always one of themost popular sections of any newspaper. Manytelevision and radio news programs share lettersfrom their audiences during their shows. Securingcoverage in this section is an easy way for you toeducate the public about your program and issues ofconcern.

Use letters to the editor to:

Correct or respond to facts in a recent article oron a television/radio show.

Praise or criticize opinions expressed in thepublication or program.

Bring attention to the issue you want to addressand explain why people need to know more.

Use the sample letter to the editor provided in thisKit to promote an upcoming event, educate yourcommunity, or recruit partners. When modifyingthe sample letter for a television or radio editor,remember to shorten it and contact the outlet inadvance to find out how it prefers to receivesubmissions (e.g., recorded video or audio tape of areading of the letter).

Click here for a customizable letter to the editor

Tips!

Read or listen to other letters to the editorto become familiar with standard formatsand length considerations.

Respond to an article or news items in atimely manner.

Keep your letter clear and concise (onepage) and be sure you know the name ofthe editor to whom it should be addressed.

Fax or email your letter to multipleoutlets.



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Write Opinion EditorialsLike letters to the editor, opinion editorials (op-eds)are written by readers, viewers, and listeners, thoughthey tend to come from people of authority such asheads of local organizations, CEOs, or evenlegislators.

Op-eds are usually between 300 and 750 wordsand are written about important issues.

Strong op-eds make the readers understand whyan issue is important to them and what theyshould do about it.

An op-ed should be submitted to one newspaper,television, or radio station exclusively.

Identify and Use Public ServiceAnnouncementsMany excellent PSAs are available for your use inlocal radio, television, and print media. Encouragemedia outlets to donate the space or airtime for thePSA. If they will not, defray the cost by asking for adiscount, holding a fundraiser, or partnering withlocal organizations that share your commitment tochildren’s health.

Learn more about EPA’s Smoke-free Homes ProgramPSA materials by visiting www.epa.gov/smokefreeor visit the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention Media Campaign Resource Center atwww.cdc.gov/tobacco/mcrc/index.htm.

Click here to view a sample Smoke-free Homes printPSA

For more information on how you can use thisPSA, call the IAQ INFO Clearinghouse at1-800-438-4318.

Additionally, many of EPA’s national partners (e.g.,the American Lung Association) have developedPSA materials. For a list of EPA partners and theirWeb sites, visit www.epa.gov/smokefree/resources.html.

“The Community Action Kit gave usexamples, such as the letters to the editor andpress releases that we shared with the healtheducators. These samples helped the educatorscommunicate more effectively with themedia, legislators, and members of thecommunity on the importance of smoke-freehomes.” Cynthia, Healthy East Chicago, Inc.,Indiana

Submit an ArticlePlace a story in a local media outlet using thecustomizable article included with this CommunityAction Kit. Whenever you can, include as muchdata about your local population as possible.Including credible data about your local population(e.g., smoking habits, asthma rates, etc.) makes iteasier for media outlets to cover your story andhelps convince them about its relevance to yourcommunity.

If you are considering a television or radio version ofa similar story, remember the tips on working withthe media outlined above. Make it easy fortelevision and radio reporters or editors to turn yourstory into a broadcast piece by including only themost important facts, and supplying audio, video,or visuals as appropriate.

Click here for a customizable article


www.cdc.gov/tobacco/mcrc/index.htm

www.epa.gov/smokefree/resources.html




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Section 3: Resources for Outreach

How Can EPAAssist You?EPA has many FREE resources that are available foryour outreach efforts. A number of national partnersare incorporating smoke-free homes messages intotheir programs. These partners can assist your effortsby providing resources and contacts at the locallevel.

EPA’s education and communication tools aredesigned for a range of audiences and can easily beincorporated into existing programs and activities inyour community. Display EPA’s materials at pledgefairs, distribute them to local doctor’s offices, andgive them to school nurses to share with yourcommunity. For more examples of how to use thesematerials to support your program, see Section 2.Information on how to order EPA’s free resources isprovided in Section 4. EPA publication numbers,used to facilitate the ordering process, may beobtained at www.epa.gov/smokefree/publications.html.

PartnershipsOver the years, EPA has cultivated partnerships withmany national, state, and local organizations topromote smoke-free homes messages. Formingpartnerships at the community level to support yourefforts is important. The benefits to partnering arenumerous, including:

Sharing costs,

Improving your program’s visibility andcredibility,

Increasing technical expertise, and

Obtaining new resources.

For a listing of EPA’s Smoke-free Homes Programpartners and their Web sites, please visit:www.epa.gov/smokefree/resources.html. Contactinformation for national and state governmentcontacts is presented in Section 4.


Some programs and venues focus explicitlyon the care and well-being of children andmake ideal partners to help promote smoke-free homes messages:

Tobacco control programs (such as yourlocal American Lung Association chapter)

Women, Infant, and Children (WIC)clinics

Local and county health departments

Healthcare practitioners

Childcare centers (e.g., Head Start),preschools, and children’s programs

Colleges and universities

Social workers (particularly those who dohome visits)

Churches

Family support groups

Cooperative Extension Service programs


www.epa.gov/smokefree/publications.html




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“We used the PowerPoint slides from theCommunity Action Kit for presentations toWIC clients, young moms, healthdepartment staff, and at PTA meetings.”Cynthia, Healthy East Chicago, Inc., Indiana

EPA’s Smoke-free HomesProductsEPA has developed educational and outreachproducts for a variety of audiences. Use them inyour smoke-free homes program activities. Theitems listed below are available to you free ofcharge and many are bilingual - English andSpanish! Instructions on how to order products areincluded in Section 4.

Secondhand Smoke Presentation SlidesAlso available in Spanish!

What is this product? This PowerPointpresentation contains slides on the health effectsof secondhand smoke exposure and how toconduct a smoke-free homes program in yourcommunity.

How can you useit? Present theslide show tolocal communitygroups, HeadStart classes, healthclinics, etc., to educate people about the dangersof secondhand smoke and actions they can taketo protect their children.

English: Click here for the PDF version of thepresentationClick here for the PowerPoint version

Spanish: Click here for the PDF version of thepresentationClick here for the PowerPoint version

The Smoke-free Home Pledge BrochureBilingual - English and Spanish!

What is this product? This booklet describes theeffects of secondhand smoke onchildren and provides informationon how to take the Smoke-freeHome Pledge.

How can you use it? Distribute brochures toparents and community members at health fairs,daycare centers, libraries, community centers, andhospitals.

The Smoke-free Home Pledge PosterBilingual - English and Spanish!

What is this product? This colorful poster attractsattention to your program andencourages people to take theSmoke-free Home Pledge.

How can you use it? Displayposters in places where parentswill see them, such as pediatricians’ offices,daycare centers, libraries, and community centers.

The Smoke-free Home Pledge Thank YouKitBilingual - English and Spanish!

What is this product? This Kit includes all thematerials you need to reinforce peoples’ pledgesto keep their homessmoke-free,including: a pledgecertificate, magnetsand decals, amagnetic photoframe, and more.

How can you use it? Distribute at smoke-freehome local pledge events and other outreachevents to reward people for taking the Smoke-freeHome Pledge and to serve as a reminder of theirpledge.

Local Programs Promoting Smoke-freeHomes Series

What is this product? This series of bookletshighlights local smoke-free homes programs’



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activities from across thenation and providesinnovative ideas,recommendations, andexamples to use in yourcommunity. To downloadthese brochures, visitwww.epa.gov/smokefree/community.html.

How can you use it? Learn from othercommunities’ efforts when developing anoutreach program in your community.

Planning Guide for Pledge EventsBilingual - English and Spanish!

What is this product? This CD-ROM is anessential component for conducting aSmoke-free Home pledgeevent and for trackingpledges. It provides a hostof tools to help you plan acommunity event,including: customizableevent signs, pledgecertificates, and pledge logs.

How can you use it? Print and utilize thematerials in the guide to help youconduct an effective pledge event in yourcommunity. Display the event signs, collectsignatures with the pledge logs, and distributecertificates.

English: Click here for the completeversion of the Guide

Spanish: Click here for the completeversion of the Guide

Smoke-free Homes Display BoothBilingual - English andSpanish!

What is this product?This 10’x7.7’ stand-alone display boothincludes four

graphics panels containing information onsecondhand smoke and how to take the Smoke-free Home Pledge. Organizations may borrow thebooth from EPA at no cost by calling the EPA’sIndoor Environments Division at 202-343-9370.

How can you use it? Display the booth atcommunity health fairs, family events, andpledge events to distribute Smoke-free Homesmaterials and recruit people for the Smoke-freeHome Pledge.

Smoke-free Homes BannerBilingual - English and Spanish!

What is this product? This 3’x6’ colorful, eye-catching display banner promotes the Smoke-freeHome Pledge, Hotline, and Web site.Organizations mayborrow the bannerfrom EPA at nocost by calling theEPA’s IndoorEnvironmentsDivision at202-343-9370.

How can you use it? Display the banner at localhealth fairs, pledge events, or other communitygatherings to attract attention for your program.

Keep Your Home and Car Smoke-freePlacematBilingual - English and Spanish!

What is this product? This 11"x17" paperplacemat (100 per pack) has aSmoke-free Homesmessage andinformation on theSmoke-free HomePledge on the frontfor parents and acoloring activity onthe back forchildren.

How can you use it? Distribute to schools,childcare centers, and during activities directlyreaching parents and children.

www.epa.gov/smokefree/community.html



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“I found the most useful part of theCommunity Action Kit to be information onhow to get posters, brochures, magnets, andother incentive materials, which wedistributed during smoke-free homespresentations.” Lori, County Heart HealthProject, Missouri

How to Take the Smoke-free HomePledgeAlso available in Spanish!

What is this product? This8.5"x11" display sign explainsEPA’s Smoke-free HomesProgram, the importance oftaking the Smoke-free HomePledge, and three waysindividuals can take the Pledge.

How can you use it? Use this display sign toencourage people to take the Smoke-free HomePledge at fairs, in health offices, and other venueswhere you collect pledges.

Click here for an English version of the sign

Click here for a Spanish version of the sign

Steps to Starting Your Smoke-free HomePledge CampaignAlso available in Spanish!

What is this product? This8.5"x11" display sign describesthe three basic steps forimplementing a Smoke-freeHome Pledge Campaign as wellas some useful EPA products.

How can you use it? Display the sign atcommunity fairs or training events to encourageother organizations or individuals to begin theirown Smoke-free Home Pledge Campaign.

Click here for an English version of the sign

Click here for a Spanish version of the sign

Environmental Tobacco Smoke: A HealthHazard to Children (Speaker’s Kit CD-ROM)

What is this product? This CD-ROM is designedfor pediatricians to help them educate theirpatients (and thepublic) regarding thehealth effects ofsecondhand smoke. Itincludes a script, slideshow, and othermaterials.

How can you use it?Encourage your localpediatricians to educate their patients (and thecommunity) about secondhand smoke byproviding them with a copy of the Speaker’s Kit.

Smoke-free Homes Program Graphics

What is this product? This Microsoft Worddocument contains many of the graphics andlogos used in EPA’s Smoke-free Homes productsand resources.

How can you use it? Program graphics can beused to customize your program materials andcreate a consistent look for your program. Right-click your mouse on a graphic to save it and useit in your program materials.

Click here for graphics to use in your programmaterials

For information on including the official EPAlogo when designing your program materials,please contact the EPA’s Indoor EnvironmentsDivision at 202-343-9370.



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EPA’s Asthma ProductsEPA’s Smoke-free Homes Program also educatesparents of children with asthma about the linksbetween secondhand smoke and increased asthmaattacks. The following are a few of the asthmaresources available to use in your smoke-free homesprogram. For more EPA asthma resources andinformation, visit: www.epa.gov/asthma.

Help Your Child Gain Control OverAsthma

What is this product? This low-literacy asthmamanagement guideprovides tips onmanaging asthma,minimizing exposure toasthma triggers, andhelpful visualsdisplaying how toimplement thesuggested tips.

How can you use it? Provide copies to localhealth clinics, daycare providers, Head Startcenters, and distribute at health fairs or otherSmoke-free Homes events and activities.

Dusty The Asthma Goldfish and HisAsthma Triggers FunbookAlso available in Spanish!

What is this product? This fun-filled educationalbooklet contains puzzles,games, and other activitiesdesigned to help parents andchildren learn more aboutasthma and identify andmanage their asthma triggers.

How can you use it? Distributecopies of the Funbook toschool nurses, health clinics,pediatricians’ offices, Head Start centers, WICfacilities, and other locations serving youngchildren and parents.

Clearing the Air: 10 Steps to MakingYour Home Asthma-FriendlyAlso available in Spanish!

What is this product? This one-page, step-by-stepguide provideshelpful hints forcomprehensiveasthmamanagement, including tips to reduce asthmatriggers (like secondhand smoke) in the home.

How can you use it? Distribute at pledge eventsand provide copies to local pediatricians, clinics,hospitals, and childcare centers; provide copies tolibraries, community centers, schools, and otherfamily places.

Asthma FactsAlso available in Spanish!

What is this product? This fact sheet highlightsthe growingasthma problemamong childrenand addressessome of theenvironmental triggers and concerns related toasthma management.

How can you use it? Provide copies to localhealth care providers, schools, daycares, and otherfamily places.

“EPA’s Community Action Kit was aninvaluable resource for us and was user-friendly. The most useful aspects of the Kitfor us were the action steps, PowerPointslides, posters, and the presentation andlayout of the materials in the Kit.” Kaysie,Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership,Colorado

www.epa.gov/asthma



16


What AdditionalResources AreAvailable?In addition to the EPA products listed above, otherresources are available that provide backgroundinformation and support for your outreach efforts,including:

Technical Studies and Reports

Respiratory Health Effects of PassiveSmoking, U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency, 1992

Key Finding: Environmental tobacco smoke(ETS) exposure in children increases the risk oflower respiratory tract infections (e.g., bronchitisand pneumonia) and the prevalence of fluid inthe ear, a sign of chronic middle ear disease.

Key Finding: ETS exposure in children increasesthe frequency of episodes and the severity ofsymptoms in children with asthma and is a riskfactor in new cases of asthma.

To view the whole report, visit:www.epa.gov/nceawww1/ets/etsindex.htm.

Health Effects of Exposure toEnvironmental Tobacco Smoke,California Environmental ProtectionAgency, 1997

Key Finding: ETS exposure in children canexacerbate asthma and affect lung growth anddevelopment.

Key Finding: Chronic respiratory symptoms suchas cough, phlegm, and wheezing are associatedwith parental smoking.

To view the whole report, visit:www.oehha.org/air/environmental_tobacco/index.html.

Video

Poisoning Your Children: The Perils ofSecondhand Smoke (Video), AmericanAcademy of Otolaryngology - Head andNeck Surgery

This 12-minute video presents dramatic statisticson the harmful effects of secondhand smoke onchildren. Speakers stress that infants and childrenare at most risk because of possible damage todeveloping organs.

Limited copies of the video are available by callingthe IAQ INFO Clearinghouse at 1-800-438-4318.

Customizable DocumentsBelow are a number of customizable documents inMicrosoft Word that you can edit and use to supportyour outreach efforts.

Customizable ProclamationUse this customizable proclamation to help yourmayor, county executive, or governor recognize thedangers associated with secondhand smoke and toencourage citizens to take the Smoke-free Home Pledge.

Click here for a customizable proclamation

Customizable LettersMany organizations in your community are a naturalally for your Smoke-free Homes efforts. Often, anintroductory letter to a community group, hospital,childcare center, or health maintenance organizationwill open the door to a successful partnership.

Click here for customizable letters

Customizable Fact SheetThis two-page fact sheet details some of the primaryhealth concerns associated with secondhand smoke andhighlights key findings in EPA research studies. Youcan adapt this fact sheet to help educate your targetaudience. For example, include local statistics ontobacco use and local contact information. Distributefact sheets at events, leave in offices, schools, andclinics, or distribute in community mailings.

Click here for a customizable fact sheet on secondhandsmoke

www.epa.gov/nceawww1/ets/etsindex.htm

www.oehha.org/air/environmental_tobacco/index.html



17

Section 4: Ordering and Contact Information

Section 4: Ordering and ContactInformation

How to Order EPAProductsThe Smoke-free Homes Program products detailed inSection 3 are available to your program free ofcharge. When ordering printed materials, be sure toinclude the EPA publication number for eachproduct. To obtain publication numbers, pleasevisit: www.epa.gov/smokefree/publications.html.

To order, contact one of the following sources:

Indoor Air Quality InformationClearinghouse (IAQ INFO)Mail Orders: P.O. Box 37133

Washington, DC 20013-7133Phone Orders: (800) 438-4318 (long distance) or

(703) 356-4020 (local area)Fax Orders: (703) 356-5386Email Orders: [email protected]

U.S. EPA National Service Center forEnvironmental Publications (NSCEP)Mail Orders: P.O. Box 42419

Cincinnati, OH 42419Phone Orders: (800) 490-9198Fax Orders: (513) 489-8695Web Orders: www.epa.gov/ncepihom/

ordering.htmEmail Orders: [email protected]

U.S. EPA Smoke-free Home PledgeHotlinePhone Orders: 1-866-SMOKE-FREE

(1-866-766-5337)

ContactInformationThe following organizations can provide you withadditional information and assistance in establishingand promoting your Smoke-free Homes Program:

U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyIndoor Environments Division1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (6604J)Washington, DC 20460Phone: (202) 343-9370www.epa.gov/smokefree/

U.S. EPA Smoke-free Home PledgeHotline1-866-SMOKE-FREE(1-866-766-5337)


www.epa.gov/ncepihom/ordering.htm

www.epa.gov/smokefree/



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U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyRegional Offices(also consider contacting your state environmentalprotection office)

EPA Region 1 (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)1 Congress Street, Suite 1100 (CAP)Boston, MA 02114-2023Phone: (617) 918-1639

EPA Region 2 (NY, NJ, PR, VI)290 Broadway (MC R2DEPDIV)28th FloorNew York, NY 10007-1866Phone: (212) 637-4013

EPA Region 3 (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV)1650 Arch Street (3PM52)Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029Phone: (215) 814-2185

EPA Region 4 (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN)61 Forsyth Street SWAtlanta, GA 30303-3104Phone: (404) 562-9143

EPA Region 5 (IL, IN, MI, M, OH, WI)77 W. Jackson Boulevard(MC AE-17J)Chicago, IL 60604-3590Region 5 Environmental Hotline: (312) 886-7901

EPA Region 6 (AR, LA, MN, OK, TX)1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200 (6 PD-T)Dallas, TX 75202-2733Phone: (214) 665-7547

EPA Region 7 (IA, KS, MO, NE)901 N. 5th Street (MC ARTD/RALI)Kansas City, KS 66101Phone: (913) 551-7391

EPA Region 8 (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)999 18th Street, Suite 300 (MC 8P-AR)Denver, CO 80202-2466Phone: (404) 488-5705

EPA Region 9 (AZ, CA, Guam, HI, NV)75 Hawthorne Street (MC AIR-6)San Francisco, CA 94105Phone: (415) 947-4192

EPA Region 10 (AK, ID, OR, WA)1200 Sixth Avenue (MC OAQ-107)Seattle, WA 98101-9797Phone: (206) 553-4273

State Departments of Public Health(also consider contacting your local and state healthdepartments)

Alabama: www.adph.org

Alaska: http://health.hss.state.ak.us/dph

Arizona: www.azdhs.gov/

Arkansas: www.healthyarkansas.com

California: www.dhs.ca.gov

Colorado: www.cdphe.state.co.us

Connecticut: www.dph.state.ct.us

Delaware: www.state.de.us/dhss/dph

District of Columbia: http://dchealth.dc.gov

Florida: www.doh.state.fl.us

Georgia: http://health.state.ga.us

Hawaii: www.hawaii.gov/doh

Idaho: www.idahohealth.org

Illinois: www.idph.state.il.us

Indiana: www.in.gov/isdh

Iowa: www.idph.state.ia.us

Kansas: www.kdheks.gov

Kentucky: http://chfs.ky.gov

Louisiana: www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/?ID=79

Maine: www.state.me.us/dhs/boh

www.adph.org

http://health.hss.state.ak.us/dph

www.azdhs.gov/

www.healthyarkansas.com

www.dhs.ca.gov

www.cdphe.state.co.us

www.dph.state.ct.us

www.state.de.us/dhss/dph

http://dchealth.dc.gov

www.doh.state.fl.us

http://health.state.ga.us

www.hawaii.gov/doh

www.idahohealth.org

www.idph.state.il.us

www.in.gov/isdh

www.idph.state.ia.us

www.kdheks.gov

http://chfs.ky.gov

www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/?ID=79

www.state.me.us/dhs/boh



19


Maryland: www.dhmh.state.md.us/

Massachusetts: www.state.ma.us/dph

Michigan: www.michigan.gov/mdch

Minnesota: www.health.state.mn.us

Mississippi: www.msdh.state.ms.us

Missouri: www.dhss.mo.gov

Montana: www.dphhs.state.mt.us

Nebraska: www.hhs.state.ne.us/

Nevada: http://health2k.state.nv.us/

New Hampshire: www.dhhs.state.nh.us

New Jersey: www.state.nj.us/health/

New Mexico: www.health.state.nm.us

New York: www.health.state.ny.us

North Carolina: www.ncpublichealth.com

North Dakota: www.health.state.nd.us/

Ohio: www.odh.state.oh.us/

Oklahoma: www.health.state.ok.us/

Oregon: http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/

Pennsylvania: www.health.state.pa.us

Puerto Rico: www.salud.gov.pr

Rhode Island: www.health.state.ri.us

South Carolina: www.scdhec.net/

South Dakota: www.state.sd.us/doh

Tennessee: www.state.tn.us/health

Texas: www.tdh.state.tx.us

Utah: http://health.utah.gov

Vermont: www.healthyvermonters.info

U.S.Virgin Islands: www.usvi.org/health

Virginia: www.vdh.state.va.us

Washington: www.doh.wa.gov

West Virginia: www.wvdhhr.org/bph

Wisconsin: www.dhfs.state.wi.us

Wyoming: http://wdhfs.state.wy.us

www.dhmh.state.md.us/

www.state.ma.us/dph

www.michigan.gov/mdch

www.health.state.mn.us

www.msdh.state.ms.us

www.dhss.mo.gov

www.dphhs.state.mt.us

www.hhs.state.ne.us/

http://health2k.state.nv.us/

www.dhhs.state.nh.us

www.state.nj.us/health/

www.health.state.nm.us

www.health.state.ny.us

www.ncpublichealth.com

www.health.state.nd.us/

www.odh.state.oh.us/

www.health.state.ok.us/

http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/

www.health.state.pa.us

www.salud.gov.pr

www.health.state.ri.us

www.scdhec.net/

www.state.sd.us/doh

www.state.tn.us/health

www.tdh.state.tx.us

http://health.utah.gov

www.healthyvermonters.info

www.usvi.org/health

www.vdh.state.va.us

www.doh.wa.gov

www.wvdhhr.org/bph

www.dhfs.state.wi.us

http://wdhfs.state.wy.us