Agencies boost smoke-free venues

Health agencies in northern Nevada have identified nearly 60 meeting venues that are entirely smoke-free, and they've begun promoting their use by event organizers.

The Washoe County Health District, the Nevada Tobacco Prevention Coalition, and the Nevada Public Health Association developed SmokefreeMeetings.org after the three groups received requests from event organizers who were seeking smoke-free venues.

A smoke-free meeting location is defined as a location where smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the entire facility or place of business. The groups said the venues that are identified on the Web site range from smaller meeting rooms to facilities that can host 3,000 people.

In addition to promoting local smoke-free businesses, the Web site asks other organizations to take a pledge to conduct smoke-free meetings.

"From now on, the Washoe County Health District will only host or sponsor meetings in 100 percent smoke free locations, and we hope other organizations will follow our lead," says Washoe County District Health Officer Dr. Joseph Iser. "We cannot ignore the harmful effects of secondhand smoke exposure. In addition, this new resource gives our community the opportunity to support local businesses they may not have previously considered."

Business owners who want their facilities added to the list can complete an application at SmokefreeMeetings.org.