SMOKEFREE TIPS OFFERED AT RIVERFEST

Riverfest visitors this weekend will get free tips about the harmful effects of smoking from Missouri ASSIST and the Southeast Missouri Cancer Control Coalition. ASSIST is distributing more than 60,000 "Smokefree Tip" coupons at a Riverfest booth Friday and Saturday.

The coupons are for individuals to use in encouraging restaurants to go smokefree. Copies of Nicoteen Magazine for youngsters and a selection of literature on secondhand smoke also will be distributed.

"The Cape Girardeau area has been a real leader in bringing smoking issues to the forefront, especially in dealing with the effects of secondhand smoke in the workplace," said Wilma Johnson, public information specialist for Missouri ASSIST at the Missouri Department of Health. She will visit Riverfest to help kick off the campaign.

Cape Girardeau ASSIST coordinator Ericka Hendrickson has worked with area businesses concerning workplace smoking issues over the past year.

"We continually hear from restaurant employees and patrons that they'd prefer a smokefree environment, but managers often respond that smoking is not an issue at their location. Seventy-five percent of Missourians don't smoke. Those of us who may have suffered silently can use these tips to make it clear that secondhand smoke when we're eating is an issue we'd like to see addressed more effectively," Hendrickson said.