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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2009)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, January 1, 2009 Smoke-free workplace law rings in the new year and starts today As of midnight on New Year’s Eve, Oregon’s Smoke- free Workplace Law now pro- tects nearly every Oregon em- ployee from the health risks of secondhand smoke. The new law covers bars, bingo halls and bowling centers, as well as 75 percent of hotel and motel sleeping rooms and all employ- ee breakrooms. In addition, every Oregon business will be required to maintain a 10-foot smokefree zone around doors, windows and ventilation sys- tems. “Every Oregonian benefits from this law,” said Dr. Bruce Goldberg, director of the Ore- gon Department of Human Ser- vices. “Employees will be able to punch in without endanger- ing their health, businesses will save money on maintenance and sick time costs, and the public will have more smoke- free choices. Laws like this are proven to help smokers quit. This is a monumental change for Oregonians.” Business owners are re- sponsible for complying with the law and preventing smok- ing in and around their proper- ty. Employees and the public can help ensure that the law is followed by reporting violations, beginning January 1, by calling 1-866-621-6107 or completing an online complaint form at www.healthoregon.org/smoke free. The Oregon Public Health Division will investigate com- plaints and give citations to business owners who are un- willing to comply with the law. Oregonians strongly support the new law, passed by the 2007 Oregon Legislature. Sur- veys show that 90 percent of Oregonians, including 76 per- cent of smokers, prefer smoke- free indoor workplaces, and 86 percent say employees should be protected from secondhand smoke. Many businesses support the new law as well. A recent survey showed that 66 percent of businesses affected by the new law are already smoke- free. Many other businesses have been preparing for the change all year, including some that opted to go smokefree in advance of the law and others that are ready to celebrate as the law takes effect. State Farm ® Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Bunny Girt, Agent 1229 N. Adair PO Box 543 Cornelius, OR 97113-0543 Bus 503-357-3131 Fax 503-357-9667 bunny.girt.b71g@statefarm.com All Oregonians benefit from cleaner air, but businesses have their own reasons to cele- brate, as they are likely to reap the rewards of a productive workplace including healthier workers, fewer sick days and reduced cleaning costs. They also stand to gain new cus- tomers from among the 80 per- cent of Oregonians who don’t smoke. Many businesses are using the new law as an oppor- tunity to reupholster furniture and install new carpet to get rid of smoke damage. The law provides an incen- tive for employees and cus- tomers who smoke to quit. Sev- enty-five percent of smokers in Oregon want to kick the habit, and a smokefree workplace is a proven way to help people go smokefree for good. Oregon’s Quit Line is a free service avail- able to all Oregonians at 1-800- QUIT-NOW or 1-877-2NO- FUME. Also, many private in- surance plans cover cessation support, proven to make at- tempts to quit more successful. Smokers should ask their providers for information. Tobacco takes a tremendous toll on Oregon. Tobacco con- tributed to 22 percent of all deaths in the state in 2005, making Oregon residents four times more likely to die from to- bacco-related causes than from motor vehicle accidents, sui- cide, AIDS and homicide com- bined. The direct medical ex- penditures and the indirect cost of lost productivity due to pre- mature death from tobacco-re- lated causes costs Oregonians more than $2 billion a year. Lawmakers believe that, through reducing secondhand smoke exposure and by mak- ing it harder to smoke in public places, Oregon can prevent to- bacco-related illness and death Tips to fit exercise into lifestyle Exercising every day really can be easy. You can do it right in your own home, whenever you have time. If your goal is 30 minutes of physical activity a day, all you need are two short 15-minute workouts. Still not convinced that breaking a sweat at home is for you? Read on to find easy so- lutions to the problems that may be keeping you from trying it. Problem: It’s hard to find space in your house Solution: Depending on your workout, you may not need much space. A corner of a room may be enough. Or con- vert an office, part of the garage, or TV room temporarily Pebbles About Pebbles If you have ever walked a creek bed you would be able to envision how this pretty girl got her name. The browns, tans and gray coloring of the pebbles laying on that creek bed are exactly what you find on the coat of Pebbles the cat. Inquisitive, loving, and gor- geous are just a few words that describe this great cat. She is up to date with routine shots, is already house trained and has been spayed. The Columbia Humane Society is a No-Kill non-profit shelter dedicated to helping friends find each other since 1985. This Adopt a Pet is Sponsored by: Senator Betsy Johnson (or permanently!). Move furni- ture around if you need to. Make the space appealing by choosing a room with a view, hanging an inspiring picture, or playing upbeat music. Problem: Exercise equip- ment is too expensive Solution: You don't need ex- pensive equipment to work out at home. Here's a list of items (most under $25) to help you get started: Aerobic exercise equipment – jump rope: great for a quick aerobic pick-me-up – exercise pedal: simulates bike riding (a great choice for those who need to improve mo- bility) Please see page 17 Evening Chat on internet health sites Web Health – What’s Good and What’s Not is the name of a free 90-minute presentation on Wednesday, January 7, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Tu- ality Health Education Center, 334 SE 8th Ave., Hillsboro, as part of their Evening Chat pro- Pet of the Month Columbia Humane Society in St. Helens has a variety of wonderful pets available for adoption. Find the pet that’s right for you in the shelter at 2084 Oregon Street. Phone 503-397-4353 Open Mon - Fri 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 am. to 5 pm. – something good for all Orego- nians and Oregon businesses. The Oregon Tobacco Pre- vention and Education Program (TPEP) works with local health departments, tribes, schools and community organizations to deliver a comprehensive to- bacco prevention program to all Oregon residents. Program ac- tivities are based on evidence- based strategies to reduce and prevent tobacco use. For more information, visit http://www. oregon.gov/DHS/ph/tobacco/. Previously known as Bits & PCs … lace look! p e Sam le new o a wh W Colo e make r Cop ies aga s r new t! Und n e agemen ma •Computer Servicing • Upgrades & Repairs • Office Supplies • Media Transfers • Ink and Toner Refills 503.429.TECH COMPUTER & INTERNET SERVICES • New & Used Computers in stock • Cell Phone Service & Accessories • IPOD accessories • Internet Services • Notary Services 866 Bridge Street, Vernonia grams. The evening will start with light refreshments and a tour of the library at 5:30 p.m., followed by information on how to evalu- ate “trustworthy” websites on health and medical information. If you plan to attend, please call 503-681-1700.