Most physicians' waiting rooms are loaded with tobacco advertisements in magazines. Periodicals have become the principle means of tobacco promotion and the ads are effective - worth the huge revenues paid for them by the industry. They are especially inappropriate in doctors' offices where they undermine cessation messages and tend to "normalize" tobacco use.

Physicians, other health professionals, organizations, and citizens can express their support and participation by completing the endorsement form for individuals or organizations.  You can also print and fax the form to  410-339-7118.  This allows physicians to join their colleagues who have agreed to stop promoting tobacco in their practice settings, and allows others to be counted as supporting this effort.  We need you to sign the form even if you don't have a waiting room or don't determine the magazine selection in your office setting as a general expression of support -- physicians, health professionals, organizations, and citizens alike.  Read a current list of tobacco-free periodicals project endorsers.

Please send comments or questions to: tobaccofreeperiodicals
 (at) comcast.net

You can provide patients with terrific magazines while participating. You can find over 200 "smoke free" magazines on Smoke Free Maryland's website. including Business Week, Consumer Reports, Decorator Showcase, Golf Illustrated, Rosie, House Beautiful, Personal Computing, Family Fun, Money, Style ('Smart Living in Baltimore'), Discover, YM, and many others. Additional magazines are becoming "smoke-free" as publishers get the message that many of us don't want to promote tobacco use through our magazine subscriptions.

Your participation can help undermine the tobacco industry's efforts to influence patients in your own waiting room.  Please complete the Endorsement Form.