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January 13, 2010

The City of Richmond received a highly coveted overall grade of A on the 2009 American Lung Association "State of Tobacco Control Report Card." The City of Martinez and unincorporated Contra Costa County followed closely behind with overall grades of B. In just one year, Richmond brought its grade from an F to an A and Martinez improved its rating from an F to a B.

The American Lung Association "State of Tobacco Control Report Card" grades 373 cities and 34 counties in California based on policies adopted and implemented in three categories: Smokefree Outdoor Air; Smokefree Housing; and Reducing Sales of Tobacco Products.

"Other cities in Contra Costa County and in California will now look to Richmond and Martinez as examples of how to effectively protect people from the harmful effects of tobacco," said Paul Doolittle, Co-chair of the Contra Costa Tobacco Prevention Coalition. "We know that the types of policies these two cities have adopted reduce tobacco use and save lives."

Martinez was the first city in Contra Costa to pass a comprehensive law banning smoking in public spaces in May 2009 and Richmond adopted a similar law in June 2009. Richmond went on to adopt five other tobacco-related laws, including the strongest multi-unit housing policy in the nation and a smoke-free pharmacies policy, and is currently considering two more policies that would regulate tobacco retailers.

Contra Costa Public Health Director Dr. Wendel Brunner lauded the extrordinary progress.

"Richmond has long been known for its public health problems and now it can be known for its public health solutions," Brunner said.

For more information about Secondhand Smoke Protections Policies, call the Tobacco Prevention Coalition at 925-313-6214.

For more information about State of Tobacco Control Report Card results for other cities and counties in California, go to www.californialung.org/raisethegrade.

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