Slice of History - Breaking the Habit

JPL participated in a course with the company Smokenders - which helps create healthy habits while weaning off nicotine use – as part of the longstanding and ongoing efforts to keep the membership of the Lab healthy.

According to a June 1990 Universe article depicting the photo above, “Smokenders course leader Hal Rubenstein symbolically breaks a cigarette as JPLers around him display certificates acknowledging they’ve ‘broken’ the cigarette habit. More than 200 JPLers took the pledge during the after-hours motivational meetings. As of today, Friday, June 22 [1990], all Lab buildings are declared ‘smoke-free,’ with the first official ‘smoke-free’ day starting Monday, June 25.” CL325-4390

The content presented here should be viewed in the context of the time period. Our intent is to present the history of JPL in a factual manner that uses primary resources and historical context. We recognize that some information or images do not reflect the current values, policies, and mission of JPL.