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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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Voters Back Smoke-Free Air Measures Across the Nation [11/04-5]
Excerpts from: Voters Increase Tobacco Taxes in Three States, Back Smoke-Free Air Measures
Across the Nation
US Newswire [11/03/04]
Underscoring the strong public support for measures to reduce tobacco's devastating toll, voters on Tuesday approved statewide ballot initiatives to increase tobacco taxes in Colorado, Montana and Oklahoma, as well as strong smoke-free workplace ordinances in communities across the nation. Voters approved all three statewide tobacco-related initiatives on this year's ballots. More Information >>
Voters also passed or upheld smoke-free workplace laws in communities across the country, including Lincoln, Nebraska; Fargo and West Fargo, North Dakota; Columbus, Ohio; Wauseon, Ohio; Copperas Cove, Texas; and Winooski, Vermont. Voters also approved an advisory referendum in Wausau, Wisconsin, in support of making restaurants smoke-free.
In addition to the ballot initiatives, Delaware voters re- elected Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, who showcased her support for the state's comprehensive smoke-free workplace law in her re-election campaign.
Smoke-free Workplace Laws: A growing number of states and communities have also been approving smoke-free workplace laws, which scientific studies and experience show protect the public's right to breathe clean, smoke-free air without harming business.
Secondhand smoke is scientifically proven to cause lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and other illnesses and is responsible nationally for thousands of deaths each year. Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals and 69 known carcinogens including formaldehyde, lead, arsenic, benzene and radioactive polonium 210. Experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently advised persons with heart disease to avoid settings where smoking is allowed because of the risk that even short-term exposure to secondhand smoke can trigger heart attacks. Studies show that kids are especially vulnerable to other people's smoke, suffering more respiratory problems, ear infections and asthma.
The evidence is overwhelming that smoke-free laws protect health without harming business. Dozens of studies and hard economic data have shown that smoke-free laws do not harm sales or employment in restaurants and bars and may even have a positive impact. Some of the strongest evidence comes from New York City, where a report found that, in the year after the city's comprehensive smoke-free law took effect March 30, 2003, business receipts for restaurants and bars increased, employment rose, the number of liquor licenses increased, virtually all establishments are complying with the law, and the vast majority of New Yorkers support the law.
The growing evidence that secondhand smoke harms health, but smoke-free laws do not harm business, has spurred the growing, bipartisan momentum across the country to protect the public's right to breathe clean air. Seven states - California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island - have now enacted comprehensive, statewide smoke-free laws. Florida, Idaho and Utah have passed smoke-free laws that exempt only stand-alone bars. A growing number of cities and counties across the country have taken action as well, including the communities that approved ballot initiatives on Tuesday.
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in our nation, killing more than 400,000 people every year and costing more than $75 billion a year in health care bills. Every day, another 2,000 kids become regular smokers, one-third of whom will die prematurely as a result.
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