AP Analysis: Smoke-free proposal awaits 2011 session

AP Analysis: Smoke-free proposal awaits 2011 session

This fall, the Mississippi Department of Health begins airing television and radio spots about the dangers of secondhand smoke, months before lawmakers likely file bills related to the issue.

State Health Officer Dr. Mary Currier said “as a public health agency we would support a policy to protect Mississippians from the very real dangers of secondhand smoke.”

She said her agency is currently focused on the awareness campaign – Smokefree Air Mississippi. The state is using $1.8 million in funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for an educational campaign, said Liz Sharlot, a spokesman for the agency.

Read more by the AP