Breathe American Samoa!

Breathe American Samoa!

Breathe American Samoa is a collaborative campaign between the American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition, Department of Health’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, and LBJ’s American Samoa Community Cancer Network to provide educational information about the American Samoa Smoke Free Environment Act. The act, when passed, will eliminate smoking in all enclosed public places within the territory which will reduce the exposure of 2^nd hand smoke to residents.

The educational information provided on this site will include:

· The Smoke Free Environment Act Legislation

· Downloadable educational brochures and signs

· Information on how to report violators.

· Locally developed Public Service Announcements (PSA)

· Links to national partners (e.g. National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, etc.) smoking and/or effects of secondhand smoke information.

· Notification of the promulgation of rules.

Why is the American Samoa Smoke Free Environment Act (SFEA) important?

Here are the facts:

· Heart disease and cancer are the 2 leading causes of death in American Samoa

· Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death.

· 30 minutes of breathing secondhand smoke causes heart damage similar to that of regular smokers.

· Being exposed to secondhand smoke increases your chances of developing cancer.

· A child who spends just one hour in a very smoky room is inhaling as many dangerous chemicals as if he or she smoked 10 or more cigarettes.

By eliminating the exposure of secondhand smoke in public places, we believe that there will be a drop in the incidence of heart disease and cancer in American Samoa. For instance, a report from Helena, Montana showed that during a six month smoking ban in public workplaces, the number of admissions for heart attacks fell from 40 to 24.

(click here for more "facts")

What is the Smoke Free Environment Act (SFEA) trying to protect?

The exposure to second-hand smoke is a major contributing risk factor to heart disease and cancer. Therefore, the SFEA states that “Smoking shall be prohibited in all enclosed areas of public places within the territory of American Samoa.” This law has two purposes, the first being to protect those who do not smoke in enclosed public places and second to eliminate tobacco smoking in enclosed public places.

Where can I smoke?

The SFEA states that smoking is not allowed in all “enclosed areas of public places”. This means that you cannot smoke anywhere inside that the public has access to, whether it is privately owned or government run. This includes: bars, restaurants, buses, government offices (LBJ, DOE, EOB, etc.) etc.

Can I smoke in my home?

Yes, The SFEA does not include private residences, unless if a private residence is licensed as a day care.

Can I smoke on an aiga bus?

No. Although aiga buses are privately owned, the are used for “public” transportation. If you or someone else is caught smoking on a bus, a fine can be issued to that person and the driver/owner of the bus.

How do you report a complaint?

If you would like to report a complaint, please call the Tobacco prevention and Control Program line at 633-2261. A person will be able to answer on Monday-Fridays, from 8:00am to 4:00pm. You may still call after those times and leave a message. You may also email to complaint@breatheamericansamoa.com. Depending on the type of violation, it will be forwarded on to the either the Department of Health’s Environmental Health Division or Department of Public Safety.