World No Tobacco Day will be observed in McAlester Friday. In conjunction with this year’s theme to promote a smoke-free workplace, many McAlester businesses are participating by displaying balloons with the number 1,200 written on them.
“The 1,200 stands for the 1,200 Americans who die each day from tobacco related illnesses,” Karlita Lott from the Pittsburg County Health Department said.
The World Health Organization has new policy recomendations and says it is urgent for all indoor public and workplaces to become 100 percent smoke-free.
“The evidence is clear. There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke,” World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan said in a recent press release. “Many countries have already taken action.
“I urge all countries that have not yet done so to take this immediate and important step to protect the health of all by passing laws requiring all indoor workplaces and public places to be 100 percent smoke-free.”
There are about 4,000 known chemicals in tobacco smoke and more than 50 of them are known to cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization.
In addition to the balloon displays, area chapters of S.W.A.T. (Students Working Against Tobacco) will be making chalk outlines in downtown McAlester to represent deaths caused by tobacco. S.W.A.T. members have also been helping put up the balloons at various businesses around McAlester.
To find out more about World No Tobacco Day, visit the World Health Organization’s Web site at www.who.int.
Contact Jeremy Higgins at jhiggins@mcalesternews.com
Local News
Join in the fight as global anti-smoking day observed here
- Local News
-
-
Foul tasting water won't last
McAlester’s drinking water is safe to drink and the color, taste and smell will improve soon, according to Pete Stasiak McAlester city manager.
-
Alexix Futisha is named Little Miss Choctaw
McAlester’s Alexis Futisha has been named Little Miss Choctaw for District 11.
-
From the Capitol: Talk about fiscal irresponsibility
Will Rogers said, “I love a dog — he does nothing for political reasons.”
-
Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma signs lease in McAlester
The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma has found a location and will be moving to McAlester possibly as soon as July, according to Susan Tilkin director of communications for the organization.
-
Rescued horses doing well
Quarter horses rescued in July by the Pittsburg County Sheriffs department are doing well, according to Joel Kerns Pittsburg County Sheriff.
-
Lt. Gov. Lamb lauds region for Work Ready Certification
Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb stopped by the Kiamichi Technology Center in McAlester on Friday to help celebrate the teaming of 15 Southeastern Oklahoma counties as Oklahoma’s Premier Certified Work Ready Region.
-
School board president steps down
A seat on McAlester Public School’s Board of Education has been vacated by President Anne Walker, who has left the position after 15 years, according to MPS Public Relations Specialist Debbie Watkins.
-
From the Capitol: OSP closing F cellhouse
Monday evening the governor put out a press release titled, “Budget Deal Reached: Fallin and Legislative Leaders Announce Fiscally Conservative Budget with Targeted Funding Increases.”
-
Three local men dismissed from grand theft charges
Three Pittsburg County men were dismissed from theft related charges Monday (May 21) in Pittsburg County District Court.
-
Gas prices down, police patrols up for Memorial weekend
Gas prices are down this Memorial weekend but the people expected to be on the road is up and so are the number of patrol officers on duty.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Man Rescued From River in China
Beyonce Entertains the First Family
Celtics crush Sixers in Game 7
Alleged Lego Thief Faces Felony Charges
Has Snooki Named Her Baby?
Heat Wave Warms Holiday Weekend
Inspiration for the class of 2012
Colorado College Student Shot While Trespassing
Will Smith & Josh Brolin on "Men in Black 3"
80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump
JWoww Sizzles in a Black Bikini
Sliders on the Grill
Cruise ship crunch
Backstage With Beyonce
Ultimate Creamy Potato Salad
Pope's Personal Butler Under Arrest
Jenny McCarthy's New Man
Tyler's Classic Coleslaw
Britney Spears Under X Factor Fire
Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victim Hits Milestone
