In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, all Douglas County Government offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 20. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 21, for normal business. Many County services are available 24/7 by visiting online services.
According to the CDC, Smoking and secondhand smoke contribute to heart disease, lung cancer, emphysema, and increase the risk of pneumonia, bronchitis, and ear infections in children. Tobacco products and secondhand smoke not only harm human health, but they can harm animals and our community’s environment.
To report a public establishment that does not enforce a smoke-free policy, sells tobacco products to minors, or has policies that create secondhand smoke in a public apartment building, complete the online smoking violation report form.
Fast Facts about Secondhand Smoke:
In 2021, about 1 in 10 Douglas County students (12.0%) reported being inside their home while someone was smoking a cigarette, cigar, pipe, or using an electronic vapor product in the past 7 days.
Secondhand smoke is not only emitted from the burning end of a cigarette, but also pipes, vaping devices, cigars and even the smoke exhaled from the lungs of smokers.
There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, even small amounts may have major implications on health and safety.
Secondhand smoke causes nearly 41,000 adult deaths in the United States every year. Even in small amounts, secondhand smoke can trigger an asthma attack, a heart attack, or even a stroke.
The Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act (CCIAA) has been updated to protect most indoor places from secondhand smoke and aerosol. Nearly all indoor public places are smoke- and vape-free, including restaurants, bars, libraries, all hotel/motel units, theaters, common areas in multi-unit dwellings, and many other places. A building’s main entryway must also be smoke and vape-free and smoking or vaping should not take place within 25 feet of that entryway (unless otherwise stated by local code).
Over 80% of survey respondents in Douglas County agreed or strongly agreed that they wished hotel and motel rooms, public spaces, and outdoor seating/dining areas were smoke- and vape-free; however, respondents were more likely to agree that these spaces should be smoke-free compared to vape-free.
Environmental Risks
Because vape devices contain many hazardous components, such as heavy metals, lithium-ion batteries, microplastics, and toxic chemicals, vape-related litter can cause considerable damage to the environment. If improperly disposed of:
E-liquid cartridges can leak nicotine into the environment. Nicotine is considered an acute hazardous waste, meaning that even in small doses, it may be lethal to humans, rats, or other animals.
The heavy metals and acid found within these batteries are not only corrosive to the environment but toxic to living beings.
While rare, batteries from vape devices can explode, posing a serious risk of injury.
Read The Truth Initiative’s full report on the harms vape devices pose to our planet. These devices pollute our public lands, harm wildlife, and find their way into our drinking water. You can help protect our community by disposing of these devices properly. (National Health Institute)
Douglas County can help you dispose of your hazardous waste.