The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Smoke-free Laramie was formed in an effort to create a smoke-free ordinance in the community of Laramie, Wyoming. The ordinance would be the first of its kind in Wyoming and was needed to help prevent youth initiation, to promote cessation, and to protect as many people as possible from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Data showed that 65% of people surveyed were concerned about the health effects of secondhand smoke. The ordinance was also desirable to help protect workers, a disparately affected population who did not have a say in their workplace policies – 177 workplaces did not have a smoke-free policy.

Methods: A local grassroots campaign was utilized to educate and mobilize local advocates, empower concerned citizens, and help change community attitudes regarding smoking in enclosed public spaces. The grassroots citizens were recruited over a period of time and initially consisted of a lawyer, a teacher, and a social worker, to name a few. An extensive media campaign was launched with the goal of educating as many of the targeted demographic as possible. The proposal was taken to two city council members who sponsored it and introduced it at a city council meeting.

Results: The city council voted to pass the ordinance, with a vote of 6-3. Opponents of the ordinance were able to get a referendum vote, but the result was that the ordinance was upheld, and went into effect on April 6th, 2005. Since then the community of Laramie has enjoyed smoke-free air in its workplaces and public spaces.