A National Legal-Action Antismoking Organization
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Action on Smoking and Health
A National Legal-Action Antismoking Organization Entirely Supported by Tax-Deductible Contributions
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Washington State Pushes for Smoking Ban [08/26-3]
Excerpts from: Getting Involved: Push is on to extend bans on smoking
Seattle
PI.Com [08/25/03]
Secondhand smoke can be more than just irritating. According to the American Cancer Society, secondhand smoke kills more than 1,000 people prematurely in Washington state every year.
Across the country, about 53,000 people die annually from secondhand smoke, making it the third-leading cause of preventable death, according to the state Department of Health.
The Washington Breathe Alliance was created in partnership with the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association of Washington, Washington Asian Pacific Islander Families Against Substance Abuse and the Center for MultiCultural Health.
The alliance's mission is to change public policy to ensure clean indoor air for all communities in Washington state.
A number of Washington laws and regulations, including the Washington Clean Indoor Air Act of 1985, prohibit or limit smoking in offices, state facilities and vehicles, and other public places.
However, many businesses and public areas are exempted from these regulations.
The alliance would like the Legislature to consider several bills that would amend the Washington Clean Indoor Air Act to ban smoking in all public indoor spaces statewide or give local governments the right to set their own clean indoor air standards.
According to a poll commissioned by the alliance, 71 percent of Washington voters consider secondhand smoke exposure a serious health risk.
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