Monday, Sep 8, 2008
Bucks County
Posted on Wed, Aug. 08, 2007
Bucks County Tobacco Control Project
Dear Editor:
[Two weeks ago], following three consecutive days of debate, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives took a monumental stand for the health and well-being of all Pennsylvanians by voting to enact legislation that would ban smoking in nearly all indoor establishments.
Unfortunately, while there was strong support among members of the House, the Senate did not concur and voted not to enact the legislation as written. As a result, a House-Senate conference committee will now be established in September in an effort to craft a workable state-wide indoor smoking ban.
Implementing a comprehensive clean indoor air policy benefits all Pennsylvanians by saving countless lives and millions in health care costs. The 2006 Surgeon General’s Report concluded that exposure of nonsmokers to tobacco smoke increases their risk of heart disease and cancer by as much as thirty percent. According to Tobacco Free Kids in Pennsylvania, over twenty thousand adults died last year from their own smoking and annual health care costs directly related to smoking exceeded 5 billion dollars.
Over all, most Pennsylvanians support smoke-free legislation. In addition, many worksite owners (including restaurants and bars) feel that comprehensive smoke-free legislation is good for business. In fact, four out of five Pennsylvanians state they are more likely to frequent a smoke-free establishment than those that still allow smoking.
For the first time in our nation’s history, more than half of all Americans live in a city or state with laws mandating that workplaces, restaurants or bars be smoke-free. The time has come for Pennsylvania to join the growing list of states that have enacted strong clean indoor air policies. It is time to make a difference in the air we breathe.
Diane Rosati
Acting Director
Bucks County Tobacco Control Project
Diane Rosati
, Uncategorized
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