A Legacy of Health, Leadership, and Community Progress
Fifteen years ago, the city of Savannah, Georgia, took a bold and historic step to protect the health of workers, residents, and visitors by passing the Savannah Smoke–free Air Act of 2010. In doing so, Savannah became the first municipality in Georgia to enact a comprehensive smokefree ordinance following the passage of the exemption-riddled Georgia Smokefree Air Act of 2005. The Savannah ordinance closed several loopholes by eliminating exposure to toxic secondhand smoke in workplaces, restaurants, bars, and public spaces across the city.
At the time, the decision represented more than a local policy change—it marked the beginning of a new era for public health advocacy in Georgia. Savannah demonstrated that communities could go beyond the minimum protections provided by state law and adopt stronger, evidence-based policies that save lives. Soon afterward, Chatham County followed suit with a comprehensive ordinance to complement Savannah’s bold move—securing smokefree protections for the entire region.
That bold move has paid dividends as Savannah and Chatham County have seen notable health improvements since the smokefree ordinances went into effect. While research has consistently shown that smokefree policies reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, improve cardiovascular health, and lower rates of heart attacks and heart disease-related deaths, data from the Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition (CGIC) and the Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed significant improvements in Savannah and Chatham County’s community health outcomes since smokefree protections were implemented. Notable improvements include declining asthma-related emergency room visits, reduced deaths from obstructive heart disease, healthier pregnancies, and healthier babies.[1]
In addition to improved public health outcomes, a 2013 study conducted by the Georgia Department of Public Health indicated that the City of Savannah Smokefree Air Ordinance of 2010 had no impact on taxable sales revenue for bars and full-service restaurants in Chatham County after adjusting for time, seasonality, unemployment rate, and overall sales in all other sectors. [2] This confirmed what we’ve always known—that smokefree policies are good for health and good for business.
Local Leaders Lead the Way
The BreathEasy Savannah campaign was led by Healthy Savannah, a pillar of the city’s sustained effort to promote health and wellness for the City of Savannah. The coalition served as an invaluable coalition and community leader for the Smokefree Savannah campaign. Healthy Savannah’s goal was, and remains today, to make the healthy choice the easy choice for all citizens, especially those in underserved communities.
The campaign was endorsed by then City of Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson, Ph.D., who founded Healthy Savannah in 2007 after suffering a heart attack the previous year. “I was given a second chance at life,” said Johnson. “So, I dedicated myself to doing what I could to promote healthy living and to prevent a lot of preventable diseases in the Savannah community.”
Under Johnson’s guidance, and the leadership of Healthy Savannah Executive Director Paula Kreissler, the BreathEasy Savannah campaign organized a fierce coalition of community advocates, healthcare professionals, business leaders, public health partners, and residents who worked together to prioritize health and wellness. Working under a collective mantra that everyone deserves the right to breathe smokefree air, the coalition successfully passed a comprehensive smokefree ordinance that remains as relevant today as it was 15 years ago.
As Savannah celebrates this milestone anniversary, new tobacco and nicotine products continue to emerge, and communities across the country are still working to address the health harms associated with secondhand smoke and aerosol exposure. Healthy Savannah continues to support and promote smokefree environments, including working to defend the ordinance against rollbacks that would threaten the health of residents, workers, and visitors. “We continue to see the lasting health benefits of Dr. Johnson’s leadership in this effort, as well as continued community collaboration with more than 200 partner organizations today,” said Armand Turner, Healthy Savannah’s executive director. Savannah’s leadership continues to inspire public health progress throughout Georgia—and its legacy serves as a reminder that strong local action can create healthier futures for generations to come.
1. https://datadashboard.coastalgaindicators.org/indicators/index/dashboard?alias=indicatorlist
