The National Cancer Institute has become the latest of a small but growing number of health organizations pledging to hold meetings only in cities, counties or states with "smoke-free air" laws.

"If we are really concerned about protecting the public, then we have a responsibility to adopt a policy like this," says Bob Vollinger, program director of the tobacco-control research branch at the institute, which announced the decision this month.

Hawai'i will be on the "OK" list — this month, Gov. Linda Lingle signed a law that bans smoking in restaurants, bars, offices and other public places. It goes into effect on Nov. 16.

The National Cancer Institute announcement comes at a time of increasing concern about secondhand smoke. The U.S. surgeon general released a report in June concluding that secondhand smoke, which is thought to kill nearly 50,000 Americans a year, is dangerous at any level, and that only smoking bans can protect nonsmokers.

Now, the push for smoke-free meetings, though largely limited to medical groups, appears to be gaining steam, says Bronson Frick, associate director for Americans for Non-smokers' Rights. At least 11 groups have made such pledges, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office on Smoking and Health.

The American Lung Association probably will consider the question at its fall meeting, says chief operating officer Joseph Bergen.

Vollinger says finding smoke-free cities is getting easier. Fourteen states meet the cancer-institute standard for smoke-free air, which takes effect Jan. 1, he says. And nearly 2,300 municipalities have passed smoke-free laws, says Americans for Non-smokers' Rights.

"The time is past for people to make excuses for not doing this," Vollinger says.