Indianapolis Star Editorial

Thanks to the Indianapolis Star for penning another great editorial in support of a statewide smokefree air bill. Hopefully 2011 will be the year the state legislature decides to join 23 other states by passing a smokefree air bill that protects all workers.

The 2006 U. S. Surgeon General Report, Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, identified all the reasons Indiana should pass a statewide smokefree air bill.:

1. Many millions of Americans, both children and adults, are still exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes and workplaces despite substantial progress in tobacco control.
2. Secondhand smoke exposure causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke.
3. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more severe asthma. Smoking by parents causes respiratory symptoms and slows lung growth in their children.
4. Exposure of adults to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease and lung cancer.
5. The scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
6. Eliminating smoking in indoor spaces fully protects nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke. Separating smokers from nonsmokers, cleaning the air, and ventilating buildings cannot eliminate exposures of nonsmokers to secondhand smoke.

Spain Going Smoke Free

Yesterday, lawmakers in Spain passed a smoke free air law that covers all workplaces including bars, restaurants and casinos. The new law will go into effect on January 2nd. This new law falls into line with other European countries that are already smoke free including Ireland, England, Finland and Greece. This new law is expected to save thousands of lives by limiting workers exposure to secondhand smoke.

If an entire country can go smoke free, why not Indy?

Quit Now Indiana Winner From Indianapolis

Picture courtesy of the Indianapolis Star

Back in August we told you about the Quit Now Indiana contest in which individuals who quit smoking were eligible for three cash prizes, the winners have been announced and the grand-prize winner is from Indianapolis! Steve Williams of Indianapolis, a 40-year smoker with grand-kids, was named the $2,500 winner after deciding to finally quit for his family.

Steve's success proves that even long term smokers who have been smoking for years can successfully quit. We know from the Surgeon Generals Report released last week that quitting smoking can improve a persons health even if they have been smoking for 30-40 years. If you need to quit smoking or know someone who does have them call 1-800-Quit-Now for free telephone counselling.

Governor Daniels Would Sign A Smoke Free Air Bill

In the Northwest Indiana Times, Governor Mitch Daniels today's states that he would sign-off on a smoke free air law if it crosses his desk this upcoming session. He went even further stating that he thinks that the state could pass such a law in the future and he urges the Senate to give a bill a fair hearing. This year Governor Daniels is showing more support for a statewide smoke free air law than he has in years past, which is good news for the effort to make all Indiana businesses smoke free.

For more information on the Indiana Campaign for Smokefree Air, the group working to get a statewide smoke free air law passed, visit their website: http://www.worksmokefree.com/.

New U.S. Surgeon General Report

Today, the United States Surgeon General released a report: 'How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease;' which found that cell and tissue damage happens immediately when a person is exposure to tobacco smoke. This damage changes your bodies DNA resulting in an increased chance of getting cancer and other adverse health effects. The report also found that it is a lot easier to become addicted to smoking and it is harder to quit because modern cigarettes deliver nicotine in a much more efficient manor than in years past. There is no safe cigarette, all cause harm.

There are 7,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke including 70 that cause cancer, this number is up from previous estimates of 5,000 chemicals and over 50 cancer causing chemicals. Smoking causes 85% of lung cancers and causes cancer in most other places in the body. Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can cause cardiovascular disease and cardiac events. Smoking can also be harmful to diabetics, pregnant women and their unborn fetuses and can cause infertility in women. Secondhand smoke can also cause SIDS in babies.

But there is good news, quitting can reduce the impact of smoking on your body. If you or someone you know needs to quit have them call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free telephone counselling.

We now know that workers are being exposed to the harmful chemicals in secondhand smoke that can lead to cancer, heart attacks and other adverse effects on the body. Indianapolis leaders should immediately take the step to protect all workers from these hazards by passing a smoke free air policy that covers all workplaces.