Taos County Celebrates Historic Change
City: Taos Hosted By: Clean Air Works
Clean Air Works in Taos County hosted a smoke-free New Mexico birthday celebration on June 14th at the weekly summer "Taos Plaza Live!" event. It was a fine evening of music, dance and celebration, featuring Eric Cortez and Stash performing rock n' roll, and Busy McCarroll and the Ambassadors of Pleasure doing R&B and pop. Many of the more than 300 attendees lined up for pieces of the scrumptious organic, strawberry-filled birthday cake that Clean Air Works served! People offered very positive comments about the new smoke-free law, including a hotel employee who said he will be happy not to have to go outside any more for “breathing breaks.”
"We really wanted to celebrate this historic change in the health of New Mexico. All the trendsetters in Taos County who supported smoke-free spaces prior to the legislation deserve tremendous recognition and thanks. They made sure Taos County voices were heard in Santa Fe, letting our legislators know we deserve to breathe clean air where we work and play," remarked Jane Corinne, coordinator of Clean Air Works.
Support for clean indoor air has grown dramatically among local restaurants and businesses, leading to four major Taos bar/restaurants going smoke-free in the past year. The Taos County Chamber of Commerce has been a leader in its support of the coalition's efforts. House Bill 283, the Dee Johnson Clean Indoor Air Act, was officially endorsed by the Taos Chamber, as well as the Town and County of Taos, Taos Pueblo Governor's Office and Tribal Council, Enchanted Circle Intergovernmental Council, Taos CARES Health Coalition, Taos Community Health Plan, Taos School Health Advisory Council, Taos-Driven (youth tobacco prevention group), the Taos Early Childhood Community Network and two churches, Abundant Life Christian Fellowship and Living Word Ministries.
Clean Air Works is continuing to work with local businesses to help ensure implementation of the law goes smoothly. For more information on how you can get involved, email
"We really wanted to celebrate this historic change in the health of New Mexico. All the trendsetters in Taos County who supported smoke-free spaces prior to the legislation deserve tremendous recognition and thanks. They made sure Taos County voices were heard in Santa Fe, letting our legislators know we deserve to breathe clean air where we work and play," remarked Jane Corinne, coordinator of Clean Air Works.
Support for clean indoor air has grown dramatically among local restaurants and businesses, leading to four major Taos bar/restaurants going smoke-free in the past year. The Taos County Chamber of Commerce has been a leader in its support of the coalition's efforts. House Bill 283, the Dee Johnson Clean Indoor Air Act, was officially endorsed by the Taos Chamber, as well as the Town and County of Taos, Taos Pueblo Governor's Office and Tribal Council, Enchanted Circle Intergovernmental Council, Taos CARES Health Coalition, Taos Community Health Plan, Taos School Health Advisory Council, Taos-Driven (youth tobacco prevention group), the Taos Early Childhood Community Network and two churches, Abundant Life Christian Fellowship and Living Word Ministries.
Clean Air Works is continuing to work with local businesses to help ensure implementation of the law goes smoothly. For more information on how you can get involved, email
