Gwen Rummell Reporting – The Tuscarawas County Health Department (TCHD) is promoting the Ohio Department of Health’s (ODH) media campaign that highlights the addition of e-cigarettes to Ohio’s smoke free workplace law.
Ohio’s smoke free workplace law, implemented in 2007, provides protection from secondhand smoke at all indoor public places. In October 2021, the Ohio legislature passed an update to the law to include e-cigarettes.
The purpose of the ODH media campaign is to help educate businesses and the public on changes made to the smoke free workplace law.
Katelyn Gorius, Tobacco Use Prevention & Cessation Coordinator at TCHD, says despite its differing form, e-cigarette users must go outside to smoke.
“With e-cigarettes, it’s not actually smoke, it’s an aerosol. So it is like a hairspray, a bug spray, anything in a can that you are going to spray – is an aerosol. The aerosol that comes out of them will go into your lungs just like secondhand smoke.”
Over 280,000 registered businesses in Ohio will be receiving a packet on new smoke free workplace signage. Businesses will also be mailed information about the Ohio Tobacco Quit Line.
Gorius says the Ohio Tobacco Quit Line provides a trained professional to help guide those looking to quit nicotine and tobacco products. All Ohioans are eligible for free quit support and can call the line at 1-800-7848-669.
To learn more about the addition to the smoke free workplace law, contact the Tuscarawas County Health Department at 330-343-5555 extension 1860.
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