HB 1489: Enhancing Life Through Smoke-Free Environments
Good afternoon. I’m Dr. William W. Lander, President of the Pennsylvania Medical Society and a practicing family physician from Bryn Mawr.
The Pennsylvania Medical Society thanks Chairman Kenney and the other members of this committee for all the work you do and for seeking Society input on House Bill 1489. We would also like to thank Representative Sue Cornell for introducing this important piece of legislation.
In a nutshell, HB 1489 is a bill to further define smoke-free environments by amending a 1927 Fire and Panic Act. The goal is to protect the public health by regulating and controlling smoking in public locations.
At one point in time, smoking in public was acceptable. Many people did so. But with advancements in science and research, the dangers of smoking have been recognized. And today, as the air begins to clear, smoke-free environments have become the desirable norm.
Today, the Pennsylvania Medical Society will give you ten reasons why HB 1489 should move forward with a positive vote and why Pennsylvanians would benefit from smoke-free environments. These reasons come recommended by the Royal College of Physicians in London. The Society notes this source because it indicates the issue of smoke-free environments is a global concern. The Society has added further support of these ten reasons through research studies closer to home.
1. Environmental tobacco smoke kills.
According to the World Health Organization, breathing second-hand or passive smoke causes lung cancer, increasing the risk by 20 to 30 percent. Prolonged exposure to second-hand smoke also will increase your risk of coronary heart disease by 25 to 30 percent, and has been linked to an increased risk of stroke and other illnesses.
2. Environmental tobacco smoke harms children.
Children do not have the freedom to avoid smoke-filled environments. Many are exposed to smoke at home. Exposure doubles the risk of cot death in babies, and of asthma, lung infections, and middle ear disease in young children. Lung growth and development can be affected and exposure to second-hand smoke may lead to a higher risk of lung disease later in life. Children should be protected from smoky environments.
3. Employers have a duty to protect their staffs.
A working environment should be safe and free from health risks. Those who work in smoke-filled environments are unsafe. Very likely, the most heavily exposed and at-risk are those who work in the hospitality industry, including bartenders, waiters, waitresses, and musicians.
4. Freedom of choice is important.
All of us should have the freedom to enjoy an environment in which we may choose not to breathe in other people’s smoke. In Pennsylvania, according to the 2003 Behavioral Health Risks of Pennsylvania Adults, published by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, only 25 percent of all Pennsylvania adults indicated they were current smokers. In other words, by smoking in public places a small minority creates smoke pollution that can harm the majority.
5. Most people dislike smoke-filled environments.
Second-hand smoke can cause shortness of breath, nose and throat irritation, wheezing, coughing, nausea, headaches, and irritated eyes. Is that really an enjoyable night out? Smoke can trigger asthma attacks and other medical conditions. Most non-smokers dislike the smell of a smoke-filled atmosphere and how the stale smell of smoke lingers on their clothing.
Public opinion polls of both smokers and non-smokers generally find smoking restrictions tolerable. An August 2002 Gallup Poll discovered that 58 percent of smokers believe restrictions are justified. A November 2000 Gallup Poll found that 95 percent of Americans surveyed favor either a total ban on smoking in restaurants or limiting smoking to separate sections.
6. Completely smoke-free is the best solution.
Ventilation may not provide adequate protection from second-hand smoke. Separation of smoking and non-smoking areas may not stop tobacco smoke from drifting into non-smoking areas. The best way to prevent ventilation problems is to totally ban smoking in public locations. Minimally, strong ventilation systems should be adopted, although it should be noted that even the best ventilation system might not totally prevent second-hand smoke from penetrating non-smoking areas.
7. Voluntary self-regulation is questionable.
Unfortunately, laws are needed to protect the public from the hazards of second-hand smoke. Without such laws, there is no reason to build healthy smoke-free environments. Therefore, the legislature must act on this serious matter.
8. Children exposed to smoking role models are more likely to smoke themselves.
A child is more likely to try a cigarette and become smoker if parents, siblings, or friends smoke. And, if they have role models who smoke, such as movie stars, they are even more likely to begin smoking.
Once the child gets started, addiction will follow. Then, it can become a lifetime of smoking. Needless to say, the risk of many different health problems increases. As health problems increase, so will health care spending.
9. Smoking can cause fires.
Smoking has been the source of disastrous fires. A quick Google search will find fires caused by cigarette smoking in many public places, like subways, governmental buildings, automobiles, and apartment buildings. Sometimes, even gas explosions have been caused by smoking.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, cigarettes are the leading cause of fatal fires in the United States. In 1999, smoking caused one out of four fire deaths. Contrary to popular belief, most victims of smoking-related fires did not fall asleep while smoking. Many are not even smokers. Typically, fires were started when someone abandoned or improperly disposed of a cigarette.
10. Smoke-free policies help people to quit smoking.
Research indicates that the majority of smokers want to quit. And our communities have an obligation to help those people live a healthier life by helping them quit smoking.
However, it’s more difficult for a smoker to quit when in a smoking environment. When a smoker quits, risk factors for deadly diseases decrease. By lowering the risk to disease, we also save health care dollars.
Conclusion
In conclusion, smoke-free environments make sense for everyone. Whether a smoker or non-smoker, a restaurant employee or restaurant guest, a child or an adult, everyone benefits from clean pure air.
The Pennsylvania Medical Society truly believes that everyone has an obligation to help others live a healthier life. We all can take a big step in achieving a healthier community by moving HB 1489 to the House floor, and then voting in favor of the bill.
Thank you for allowing the Pennsylvania Medical Society to provide this input.
Last Updated: 10/15/2007