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December 29, 2003
Contact:
Andy Weisser, (818) 703-6444, aweisser@earthlink.net
Paul Knepprath, 916.505.3099, pknepprath@alac.org
www.californialung.org
or your local American Lung Association at (800) LUNG-USA.
California's Tough New Smoking Restrictions Help More People
Breathe Easier
--Public Building Entryways Provide Smoke-Free Buffer, Protect
Public from Secondhand Smoke Exposure
(Sacramento, CA, December 29, 2003
Effective Jan. 1, 2004, Assembly Bill 846 (Vargas, D-San
Diego) will further protect all Californians from the harmful
effects of secondhand smoke by expanding smoke-free zones around
public buildings. The new law will prohibit smoking within 20
feet of main entrances, exits and operable windows of all city,
county and state buildings as well as buildings on the campuses
of the University of California (UC), California State University
(CSU) and all California community colleges.
"State, county and city employees working throughout the
state and the general public who visit those buildings should
not have to be subjected to the health dangers of secondhand smoke,"said
David Burns, MD, volunteer chair of the American Lung Association
of California's Tobacco Technical Advisory Group. "Expanding
the smoke-free zone to 20 feet around doorways of public buildings
will provide greater protection."
A statewide public opinion poll conducted by the Field Research
Corporation for the California Department of Health Services (CDHS)
in 2001, found more than 75 percent of Californians polled agreed
that workplaces should designate at least a 15-foot smoke-free
area around all building entrances. Prior to AB 846, California
law only prohibited smoking within five feet of doorways.
In addition, AB 846 does not prevent local government entities
or the college institutions from adopting local smoke-free ordinances
or policies that go beyond 20 feet. The law does not affect privately
owned buildings unless they are leased or occupied by a state,
county or city agency.
In California, secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of
preventable death, accounting for an estimated 4,700 deaths annually
in the state, including deaths from lung cancer and heart disease.
In addition, secondhand smoke exposure is a major trigger for
asthma episodes and can cause eye irritation and respiratory problems
in nonsmokers.
# # #
The American Lung Association of California, nearly 100 years
old, fights Big Tobacco, bad air and the asthma epidemic. With
the generous support of the public and the help of volunteers,
the organization has seen many advances against lung disease.
However, the work is not finished. In its second century, the
organization will continue to strive to make breathing easier
for everyone. Along with its medical section, the California Thoracic
Society, it provides educational programs, community service,
advocacy and research. The American Lung Association's activities
are supported by Christmas Seals and Chanukah and Kwanzaa e-Greetings,
along with other voluntary contributions. For more information,
visit www.californialung.org.
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