KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - With many residents planning to visit food establishments on Valentine's Day, Public Health - Seattle & King County is announcing an increasing number of smoke-free restaurants. Currently, 72% of King County restaurants are smoke-free, up from 25% in 1990.

"Whether in a restaurant or at home, an intimate meal in a smoke-free environment this Valentine's Day will be good for your heart in more ways than one," said King County Executive Ron Sims.

"The only way for patrons and employees to avoid the harmful effects of secondhand smoke is to be in a completely smoke-free environment," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "We lose hundreds of lives each year in King County as a result of secondhand smoke. These are tragic and completely preventable deaths."

Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including more nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, and cancer causing chemicals than smoke inhaled directly from a cigarette. Secondhand smoke exposure also contributes to respiratory problems in young children and infants.

To find smoke-free establishments in King County, visit: www.metrokc.gov/health/tobacco/guide.htm

Wallingford restaurants targeted in recent recruitment campaign

As part of its education and outreach campaign, Public Health - Seattle & King County's Tobacco Prevention Program has just completed individual visits with all restaurants in the Wallingford area to increase the number of voluntary smoke-free establishments. After surveying all 58 restaurants and bars in Wallingford, 47 (82%) of them were found to provide a 100% smokefree environment.

As a result of the campaign, Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant, located at 1715 45th Ave, contacted Public Health about becoming smoke free. "It was a difficult decision, but I feel that it is necessary to provide a healthy environment for our employees and our customers," said owner Victor Garcia. Guadalajara will be celebrating its new smoke-free policy this Valentine's Day.

Through its annual smoke-free restaurant campaign, Public Health - Seattle & King County encourages and supports restaurants throughout King County to become smoke-free. The restaurant campaign started in 1995 with a comprehensive plan to increase the number of smoke-free eating establishments in King County. Each year, two to four King County neighborhoods or cities are selected to be part of an educational campaign encouraging restaurants to go smoke free.

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