During 2006, Michigan Talk Network interviewed medical and legal experts, as well as citizens in Michigan and throughout the United States, about smoking, tobacco, and health-related issues. This radio media initiative was sponsored by Tobacco-Free Michigan; interviews were broadcast on Tuesdays at 6:30 a.m. as part of the early morning program entitled "The Big Show."
Participating AM radio stations included:
WWKK 750 AM and WJML 1110 AM - Petoskey
WMMI 830 AM - Mt. Pleasant
WBCH 1220 AM - Hastings
WIAN 1240 AM - Ishpeming
WJIM 1240 AM - Lansing
WDMJ 1320 AM - Marquette
WTRX 1330 AM - Flint
WKMI 1360 AM - Kalamazoo
WSCG 1380 AM - Greenville
WODJ 1490 AM - Muskegon
We have archived these interviews so you can download and review them at your convenience. Please note that the interviews are available as MP3 recordings. You will need MP3 player software, such as Real Player* or Windows Media Player,* installed on your computer to listen to these recordings.
Interviews available for download:
Ursula Bauer, program manager, New York State Department of Health (www.health.state.ny.us)
Focus of the interview:
The State of New York has had a statewide smoke-free law since July 2003.
The law has enormous popular support — 80 percent of New Yorkers favor the law, including one-third to one-half of all smokers.
All workers (regardless of where they work), as well as the public who live in New York, are protected from secondhand smoke toxins.
A normative shift must occur in society, where smoking isn’t thought to be something that has to be tolerated.
Smoking is a "con" perpetrated against the American people by a few greedy people and decades of marketing. New research shows that there are dozens of chemicals and toxins in secondhand smoke that affect non-smokers who breathe smoke.
In 2004, New York had the first decline in smoking prevalence in 17 years.
Bronson Frick, associate director, Americans for Non-Smoker’s Rights (www.no-smoke.org), Berkeley, CA
Focus of the interview:
2005 was the 15th anniversary of smoke-free domestic airline flights, the first occupational protection from secondhand smoke. Smoke-free air is good for health and business.
A major finding of the 2006 U.S. Surgeon General’s report is that smoking rooms and ventilation systems do not protect from secondhand smoke. Michigan is falling behind the national curve.
The Michigan law of "preemption" prevents local governments from implementing smoke-free ordinances.
Studies that report that non-smoking policies and/or laws have a negative business impact are funded by tobacco companies.
Jim Herrington, health educator, Marquette County Health Department (www.mqthealth.org), Marquette, MI
Focus of the interview:
15 years of work developing partnerships with community businesses, community organizations, schools, youth serving groups and organizations to implement education programs, develop smoke-free business policies, and advertise the dangers of smoking.
Community partnerships have generated a lot of positive impact.
Outcome data: During the past 10 years, Marquette County has reduced smoking prevalence to 15 percent, as compared to 25 percent in 1995. Data is based on Michigan Department of Community Health random surveys of adult and youth smoking prevalence throughout the state.
Economic Impact: Over $10 million savings in Marquette County alone since 1995. The economic impact attracts businesses because the workforce is more healthy and productive, and it also helps families living in the community.
There is a great need in other Michigan counties to fund and support health educators who can act as tobacco cessation resources for their communities. New York State Health Department has had a big impact with funding local tobacco control resource staff.
The June 2006 U.S. Surgeon General's Report scientifically concluded there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. In addition, the report stated that non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25 percent to 30 percent and also lung cancer by 25 percent to 30 percent.
In the 1990s, the City of Marquette became one of the first cities in Michigan to pass a smoke-free worksite ordinance. Mayor Leadbetter believes the ordinance has contributed to the well-being of the city.
Marquette was very proactive and worked with the local health department to provide education classes to quit smoking.
Mayor Leadbetter believes that secondhand smoke is a health hazard, not just an annoyance, and is convinced that smoking is the way to an early death.
Mayor Leadbetter is a former four-packs-a-day smoker who quit 30 years ago, after a total of nine attempts to quit.
Dan McGoldrick, vice president for research, Tobacco Free Kids (www.tobaccofreekids.org), Washington, DC
Focus of the interview:
dangers of secondhand smoke and kids; and
need to take a small percentage (less than 5 percent) of the tobacco settlement money and use it for a comprehensive tobacco prevention programs that research has proven do work.
Dan Peterson, executive director, City of Cadillac Housing Commission, Cadillac, MI (www.cadillac-mi.net)
Focus of the interview:
The City of Cadillac's Housing Commission was the first housing commission in Michigan to develop and implement a smoke-free policy.
The Cadillac Board of Commissioners took 18 months to research the issues and found that there were no regulations or state laws in Michigan that prohibited implementing a smoke-free policy.
Cadillac's policy applies to all new apartment residents and their guests.
Rhonda Rudolph, health educator, Jackson County Health Department (www.co.jackson.mi.us/hd), Jackson, MI
Focus of the interview:
Local community tobacco coalitions serve as an important network of professionals (including representatives from local business, mental health, police, and other health personnel) who focus on problems at the local community level.
Local community tobacco coalitions act as a contact for people interested in quitting tobacco use; a resource to worksites trying to implement smoke-free policies to protect employees; and a resource to parents who want to quit smoking and want to adopt a ‘Smoke-Free Home and Car Pledge.’ They also provide education in schools and work with elected officials to help them understand the health-related effects of secondhand smoke.
This is a personal story about Clare and her husband, both of whom were smokers and were unaware of dangers to their children.
One daughter was born with asthma and low birth weight. On a family to trip to Cedar Point, Clare's daughter developed problems breathing, collapsed in her mothers’ arms, and died in the family car.
Clare now spends her time educating others about the dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke.
