Lung Association Applauds Connecticut for Tough Statewide Workplace Smoking Ban

5/9/2003

From: Diane Maple of the American Lung Association, 202-785-3355

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- The following is a statement of American Lung Association President and CEO John L. Kirkwood:

Connecticut is now the fourth state in the nation to pass comprehensive statewide smoking ban legislation. The tough smoking ban was approved by the state Senate last week and by the state House of Representatives on May 7 with overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers. Senator Kevin Sullivan and Speaker Moira Lyons should be commended for their leadership. Public Health Committee co-chairs Senator Christopher Murphy and Representative Art Feltman were steadfast in ensuring that a diluted, less strict ban was not adopted. Gov. John Rowland is expected to sign the bill into law within the next week.

The American Lung Association commends all state legislators who acted decisively to support this important public health issue and looks forward to the governor's timely approval. Their actions will protect all Connecticut residents, particularly employees who were forced to breathe secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke causes or exacerbates a wide range of adverse health effects, including cancer, respiratory infections and asthma. Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals; 200 are poisons; 69 cause cancer. Secondhand smoke has been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a known cause of cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen).

The Connecticut law will require restaurants, bars and indoor workplaces to be smokefree. The ban will be enacted for restaurants and bars on October 1, 2003 and those establishments with cafi and tavern permits will become smokefree on April 1, 2004.

Other states with comprehensive smokefree laws on the books are California, Delaware and New York. Maine, Massachusetts and Florida are expected to vote on new smokefree air laws soon.

The American Lung Association has been fighting lung disease for nearly 100 years. With the generous support of the public and the help of volunteers, we have seen many advances against lung disease. However, our work is not finished. As we look forward to our second century, we will continue to strive to make breathing easier for everyone through programs of education, community service, advocacy, and research. The American Lung Association's activities are supported by donations to Christmas Seal and other voluntary contributions. You may obtain additional information via the American Lung Association Web site at http://www.lungusa.org.