“Dedicated to clean indoor air, free from secondhand smoke, in all public places.”

Our Mission

Our mission is to eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke by supporting public education and awareness regarding the dangers of secondhand smoke and the right to breathe clean air in public places.  The Juneau Clean Air Coalition advocates for passage of official policies and laws to ensure that people in public environments and workplaces are not exposed to secondhand smoke.

• Help other communities in Southeast Alaska to become smoke-free.
• Work toward a statewide smoking ban for public places and work environments.
• Educate adults about the dangerous effects of exposing children to secondhand smoke at home and in the car.
• Work toward statewide smoke-free public housing.

News & Announcements

After the smoke free bar portion of the clean indoor air ordinance went into effect on January 2, 2008, it was discovered that due to a technical loophole in the ordinance, private clubs were not included under the definition of a "bar".

The City Attorney wrote and proposed a new and updated ordinance that would not only eliminate the private club error, but would also eliminate two other problematic loopholes that allowed smoking in “retail tobacco stores” and "private functions" in otherwise public places. In addition, the new proposed ordinance addressed smoking in outdoor seating areas of restaurants and bars.

The updated ordinance was introduced to the Assembly on February 11, 2008. On February 25, 2008, over 40 Juneauites testified before the Assembly on both sides of the issue, hotly debating the entire issue of bars becoming smoke-free. The bars again proposed allowing smoking rooms, an issue which had been debated and voted down in 2004 when the smoke-free ordinance for restaurants and bars was passed. (Restaurants became smoke-free January 1, 2005, while bars were given 3 years to implement being smoke free by January 2, 2008.)

On March 3, 2008, the Committee of the Whole of the City Assembly met to discuss the proposed ordinance. No public testimony was allowed at the Committee of the Whole, but the public could attend the proceedings. Juneau Clean Indoor Air advocates attended the meeting wearing "Smokefree!" stickers to show their support for the ordinance. (Smoking is allowed in outdoor seating areas of restaurants and bars, but at least two entire sides of the area have to be completely open directly to the outdoors.)

On March 10, 2008, the Assembly adopted the recommendation of the Committee of the Whole and passed the new and improved Ordinance No. 2008-05, including a new name: Secondhand Smoke Control Code

The air clears in Juneau bars on January 2, 2008!

Frieda Glantz, Project Manager for Americans for Nonsmokers Rights, presented an Award of Excellence to the City of Juneau for becoming a Smokefree Capital City at the City Assembly meeting on August 20th, 2007.

Frieda Glantz (left), Mayor Botelho (right)