The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: To Mobilize Community Resources in the Elimination of Tobacco Use

In 1985, Atlanta pulmonologist Leverett Neeley founded the Atlanta Coalition against Tobacco in response to his wife's death, which he associated with smoking. Membership includes a core of physicians along with other healthcare professionals, attorneys, and concerned citizens.

Methods:

(1) Producing a state of the art video presentation featuring former tobacco users who describe their addiction and accompanying emotional and physical diseases. (Part of our presentation.)

(2) Advocating closing smoking rooms (“smoking cages”) at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, busiest airport in the world. A scientific study of particulates and gasses in and near the rooms was proposed, approved, and subsequently revoked by airport management. The situation created an opportunity to edify elected officials and airport managers, who posted signs near the rooms prohibiting entry to people younger than 18.

(3) Banning tobacco products in incarceration facilities. Using the California program model, this project is led by an attorney who represents a prison inmate whose asthma is exacerbated by ongoing exposure to tobacco smoke.

(4) Advocating to area theatrical groups. We communicate with local directors, producers, actors, and news media through letters and personal appearances. We are program guests of local media personalities who support our cause. We also plan an action team to campaign for removal of smoking scenes from movies.

Results: (1) Production of an anti-tobacco video, (2) Removal of airport smoking rooms, (3) Prohibition of tobacco in prisons, and (4) Elimination of tobacco use in entertainment productions.