On August 26th, The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah voted today to adopt a comprehensive smokefree ordinance that makes all workplaces and public places in Savannah smoke-free.

The ordinance closes the major loopholes in Georgia's Smoke-free Air Act passed by the state legislature in 2005. Specifically, the ordinance provides additional coverage for: all bars and restaurants, outdoor eating and serving areas of bars and restaurants, playgrounds, long-term care facilities, private and semi-private rooms in health care facilities, international airports, convention facilities, private clubs and retail tobacco stores

The ordinance also requires smokers to step a minimum of 10 feet away from any entrance, exit, window, vent or air intake system of any building where smoking is prohibited. This is to prevent smoke from infiltrating the indoor areas and to protect the public from the harmful effects of involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke as they enter and exit buildings.

“A lot of communities talk about being green and healthy, but action speaks louder than words,” said Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson. “Today the city council took an action that demonstrates its commitment to working toward a healthier and greener community.”The Savannah City Council adopted the ordinance to address issues of workplace safety including protection of city workers whose jobs result in exposure to secondhand smoke. “No one should have to inhale secondhand smoke as a condition of employment,” said Amy Hughes, chairperson of Smokefree Savannah, a Healthy Savannah initiative.

“The Smoke-free Savannah ordinance guarantees all workers the right to breathe clean air in the workplace and it protects the public by ensuring the right to breathe clean air in public places,” said Hughes.

According to June Deen, State Director for the American Lung Association in Georgia, the Savannah ordinance will serve as a model for other communities wishing to go smokefree. “We applaud the Mayor and Council for taking this important step. Communities like Athens, Columbia County and Decatur have adopted strong smoke-free ordinances. All workplaces should be smokefree,” said Deen.

"We are elated that the city of Savannah has made public health a priority by passing a comprehensive smokefree ordinance that prohibits smoking in all workplaces. We hope that other major cities in Georgia will follow," says Eric Bailey, Grassroots Advocacy Manager for the American Cancer Society.

Savannah will go smokefree on January 1, 2011 following a comprehensive public education initiative and outreach effort to provide complimentary signage to Savannah businesses and to promote quit smoking programs like the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line 1- 877-277-STOP.