Birmingham Health District

What you need to know about Birmingham’s Health District and smoke-free ordinance

Several health-focused organizations comprise Birmingham’s Health District that endeavors to establish an area where health and wellness are promoted in many ways.

The Health District has launched with an initial program to encourage a smoke-free environment supported by a City of Birmingham ordinance to promote health and wellness of patients, employees, students and visitors in the area.

All sidewalks, streets, bus stops, curbs, gutters, parks and outdoor public areas in the Health District are designated smoke-free as of Dec. 1, 2019.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no risk-free amount of exposure to second-hand smoke.

The Health District was established to improve walkability and decrease exposure to secondhand smoke in these areas where health is the focus.

The Health District includes serval health-focused organizations on Birmingham’s Southside, spanning roughly from 12th Avenue South to 4th Avenue South, and 8th Street South to 22nd Street South. Organizations that requested a health district from the City of Birmingham to support their non-smoking policies include Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Children’s of Alabama, City of Birmingham, Cooper Green Mercy Health Services, Jefferson County Department of Health, Southern Research and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Each organization will share details of its tobacco and smoking policies and the Health District with the audiences it serves. Some organizations will offer limited designated smoking areas in the district where information and resources (e.g., nicotine replacement therapy, 1-800-QUIT-NOW promotion) to help people not smoke may be present.