Watch out, Arizona! Big Tobacco is targeting you!

Publication Date: 2006-06-20

There is signature gathering underway in Arizona for TWO different secondhand smoke ballot initiatives. One is supported by public health groups and seeks to bring smokefree air to Arizona's workplaces and indoor public places, including restaurants and bars. The other was created by cigarette giant RJ Reynolds and would undermine smokefree protections throughout the Grand Canyon State.

Please read all initiatives carefully before signing anything!

The "GOOD" Initiative -- The Smoke-Free Arizona Act

Title: The Smoke-Free Arizona Act
Sponsor: Smoke-Free Arizona
Endorsers: American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, former U.S. Surgeon General K. Everett Koop, and many more. Click here for a complete list of endorsing health, education, and business supporters.

If passed: The initiative would clear the air of secondhand smoke in Arizona's public places and workplaces including offices, factories, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. Arizona would join the growing list of states with 100% smokefree workplace laws. The Smoke-Free Arizona initiative is the only petition that will effectively protect all Arizona workers, residents, and visitors from secondhand smoke exposure.

The tobacco companies are savvier than ever, using public health messaging to confuse voters and trick them into signing their competing initiative.

The "BAD" Initiative -- The Arizona Non-Smoker Protection Act

Title: The Arizona Non-Smoker Protection Act
Sponsors: Arizona Non-Smoker Protection Committee (a front group representing RJ Reynolds and the Arizona Licensed Beverage Association)
Endorsers: Tobacco and Alcohol Lobbies

If passed: This Big Tobacco initiative would roll back all existing smokefree laws in a number of Arizona's cities and would prevent any future smokefree protection in the state. RJ Reynolds is paying top dollar (up to $4/signature) to signature gatherers, in efforts to put a preemptive and ineffective competing initiative on the November ballot.

IF YOU WERE MISLED INTO SIGNING BIG TOBACCO'S PETITION, IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT!

Do you want to make sure your name does not appear on RJ Reynolds' initiative? Follow these four simple steps to ensure that your name does not help the tobacco industry. Please be sure to forward this information on so that others will know about the tobacco industries tactics.

1) Download and fill out an affidavit requesting your signature be removed from the RJ Reynolds petition (PDF).

2) Have the form notarized. (Check with your local bank, or call 602-414-5339) Mail notarized form to the Secretary of State as soon as possible. Forms MUST be received by the Secretary of State before the opposition turns in their signatures. Mail Notarized affidavits to:
Arizona Secretary of State
Election Services
1700 W. Washington Street, 7th Floor
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

3) Notify Smoke-Free Arizona when you have submitted the form so that we can follow up and make sure your name gets removed.

Smoke-Free Arizona needs you more than ever to inform others about who is really behind The Non Smokers Protection Act. It is never too late to get involved. To learn more, contact Smoke-Free Arizona at www.smokefreearizona.org.