The Smokefree Music Cities project is pleased to share that MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s charity that provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need, has adopted a resolution that ‘supports all efforts to protect musicians from secondhand smoke exposure.’ MusiCares focuses resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. MusiCares recognizes that secondhand smoke exposure is dangerous to musicians’ health and that “major music cities such as Austin, TX, Branson, MO, Chicago, IL, Los Angeles, CA, New Orleans, LA, New York City, NY and more are 100% smokefree cities and thriving economies.”
Musicians and those in the music community are workers that are often overlooked. These talented individuals bring not only joy to audiences, but revenue to music cities from residents and visitors who want to hear their music. These workers need protections from exposure to secondhand smoke to protect their health and allow them to give their best performance. A September 6, 2018 article posted on the Grammy’s website, “How Secondhand Smoke at Venues Can Mean ‘Instant Doom’ for Musicians,” speaks to the hazards of smoky venues for musicians.
The American Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) Foundation recently launched its Smokefree Music Cities project to bring attention to the needs of musicians to breathe smokefree air when performing. Many musicians have provided testimonials in support of smokefree music venues, noting how exposure to secondhand smoke makes it difficult if not impossible to sing, play a brass or wind instrument, or perform in general. You can see those testimonials at https://smokefreemusiccities.org. Mr. Al Bell, co-founder of Stax Records, the former President of Motown Records, and current Chairman and CEO of Al Bell Presents, shares his testimony on our site and mentions Atlanta.
Your organization is encouraged to adopt a resolution in support of smokefree air for musicians as well. See the sample resolution at: https://smokefreemusiccities.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/musicares-resolution.pdf
Please contact us if you need help with your resolution and send us a copy after you adopt it!