AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CALLS ON COUNTY EXECUTIVE,
LEGISLATURE TO PROTECT ALL ERIE COUNTY WORKERS
FROM SECONDHAND SMOKE
Some Local Workers Continue to Be Treated as Second-Class Citizens
by Local Law
BUFFALO, NY - Representatives
from the Erie/Niagara Tobacco Free Coalition, including the American
Cancer Society, met this morning on the steps of Erie County Hall
to call county government to action and ask that all local workers
be protected from toxic secondhand smoke.
"Every November, local
leaders ask the public for their support during the election,"
said Gretchen Leffler, Regional Vice President for the American Cancer
Society. "Now that the election is over, it's time for us to
ask our local leaders for their support. Today, we're calling on the
Legislature and the County Executive to strengthen the clean air act
to include all bars, restaurants and bowling alleys."
Recent studies have shown
that some Erie County workers are unprotected by current smoking restrictions.
Workers in bars, some restaurants and bowling alleys are exposed to
measurable levels of toxic secondhand smoke.
Additional studies have
indicated that exposure to secondhand smoke can increase your risk
of developing lung cancer, heart disease, asthma and other health
problems. More than 60,000 otherwise healthy non-smokers die from
exposure to secondhand smoke each year.
"The majority of people are protected by the county's clean indoor
air law and aren't forced to breathe in toxins just to make a living.
But, thousands of local workers have been made second-class citizens
under the existing clean indoor air law. If you are a waiter, a waitress,
or a bartender and you want to feed your family, you don't have the
right to breathe clean air," continued Leffler.
ACS call County Government to Action on Secondhand Smoke
Stronger smoke-free laws
have been picking up momentum across the nation and here in New York
State. Smoking has been eliminated in bars in California, Delaware
and Florida. Several counties in New York have passed or are considering
new stronger clean air measures including; New York City, Nassau County,
Suffolk County, Westchester County, Duchess County, Ulster County,
Wyoming County and Albany County.
"Even Governor Pataki
said he supports going smoke-free. But here in Erie County, once a
pioneer in clean air legislation, there is still no action,"
said Leffler. "This is a public health issue and the County Executive
and the County Legislature need to act."
Today's call to action
was made during a press conference by the Erie/Niagara
Tobacco Free Coalition announcing a new poll showing strong public
support for eliminating smoking from public places in Erie County.
The Coalition also unveiled a new radio campaign to educate the public
on the importance of clean air.
The American Cancer Society
is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated
to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer,
saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research,
education, advocacy and service. For information about cancer, call
toll-free anytime 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the American Cancer Society
website at www.cancer.org.
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