Second Hand Smoke
National
The Ad Council and the American Legacy Foundation have partnered
to sponsor a new multi-media campaign addressing secondhand
smoke exposure in homes and cars. “Don’t Pass
Gas” uses a comic approach to advocate creation of smoke
free environments for children and families. The advertisements,
which will air on television and local radio stations, provide
information on the harmful gases produced by cigarettes and
the damage caused by second hand smoke. More information and
exhibits of the public service announcements can be obtained
by calling 1-888- NO PASS GAS or visiting:
www.dontpassgas.org
or www.americanlegacy.org.
More than 33 million children may be at risk of decreased
math, reading and logic skills due to their exposure to environmental
tobacco smoke. In the largest study of its kind at the Cincinnati
Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, researchers
used cotinine levels to measure exposure. Researchers found
an inverse relationship between cotinine levels and reasoning,
logic, and academic abilities. They noted that even very low
levels of cotinine affected the cognitive and academic skills
of test participants. The study is published in the January
issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, and can be accessed
through the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital at:
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/about/news/release/2005/1-tobacco-smoke.htm
Indiana
The Indianapolis city council will soon consider a proposed
ordinance that would expand the current smoke-free policy.
The proposed ban would make some outdoor public locations
smoke-free in addition to indoor worksites, including restaurants
and bars. Outdoor locations would include: ticket lines, outdoor
dining, city parks, bus stops, and around ATM machines. The
ban would also outlaw smoking within 50 feet of an entrance
to a business. More information and the public’s reaction
can be found at www.indystar.com.
Nebraska
The Nebraska state legislature recently debated whether day
care centers should be smoke-free all the time. Currently
day care centers are only mandated to be smoke-free while
children are on the premises. The newly introduced legislation
would prohibit smoking on the grounds or in the buildings
at any time. Additionally, Nebraska is pushing forward a law
to prevent smoking in the homes of foster children. More information
can be found at:
http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/02/04/4203a93735f0d)
New York
A recent New York Times article highlighted a two-year
follow-up report on the New York City smoking ban. Opponents
of the indoor smoking ban have conceded that it has not affected
businesses or tourism negatively. Tax revenue from bars and
restaurants increased 8.7% from the year before the ban was
passed to the year following the ban being enacted in 2003.
Currently staunch opponents of the ban have backed down on
fighting to have it overturned and are now focused on having
it enforced fairly.
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