The Smoke-Free Movement
Senate Executive Public Hearing
Senate Executive Public Hearing
October 23, 2006
Testimony
Clement Rose, M.D.
Good morning Mr. Chairman and members of the Senate Executive Committee. My name is Dr. Clement Rose; and I am incoming President for the American Cancer Society, Illinois Division Inc. and President of the Medical Staff at Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify in favor of a comprehensive clean indoor air law making all workplaces including restaurants and bars smoke-free. It is the position of the American Cancer Society that only a comprehensive law without any exemptions can properly protect all workers and residents from the harmful affects of secondhand smoke.
The American Cancer Society is a voluntary health organization dedicated to saving lives with over 120,000 volunteers and 207 Relay For Life events statewide serving approximately 10,000 patients annually. In addition, one out of 22 Illinoisans donates to the American Cancer Society per year.
Secondhand smoke is a major public health issue and cause of preventable death. This year approximately 3,000 Illinoisans will die from secondhand smoke exposure. The question of allowing tobacco smoke in the workplace is not about intolerance, lifestyle choice or a culture war. It is an issue of public health.
The clinical factors are irrefutable. Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in this country, killing 65,000 nonsmokers in the U.S. each year. The scientific evidence on the health risks associated with exposure to secondhand smoke is clear, convincing and overwhelming. Secondhand smoke is a known cause of lung cancer, heart disease, chronic lung ailments such as bronchitis and asthma (particularly in children,) and low birth-weight babies.
We already know, and have known for decades, that smoking causes cancer.
But now, thanks to scientific study, we also know that a non-smoking person who works an eight hour shift working in a smoky environment is exposed to the same health risk as if they had smoked 16 cigarettes.
Imagine your reaction if I asked you to pass a resolution stating that smoking 16 cigarettes a day was healthy. You probably would consider that unreasonable.
You would be correct.
But passing a smoke-free law with exemptions is explicitly saying that it is acceptable and healthy for some unlucky non-smokers to effectively be forced to smoke 16 cigarettes a day.
That is also unreasonable.
This is why the American Cancer Society is so adamant that smoke free legislation be 100% comprehensive, and why we will actively oppose any legislation that is less than comprehensive.
No one should have to choose between a good job and good health. No one should have to make a choice between putting food on the table for their family, and involuntarily exposing themselves to the health risk of 16 cigarettes a day.
Even though the Surgeon Generals report of this past summer was unambiguous on this issue, opponents of a 100% comprehensive smoke-free law continually state false facts and skewed information regarding health claims and economics associated with eliminating secondhand smoke from public places.
In regards to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, I want members of this committee to understand that it is a coordinated report that represents the findings of the scientific and research community. As mentioned in the "Preparation of the Report," it was prepared by the Office of Smoking and Health, National Center of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Coordinating Center for Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was written by 22 experts, selected for this knowledge on the particular topic, and peer-reviewed by 40 more professionals. The entire manuscript was then sent to more than 30 scientists for review for scientific integrity.
Our opponents also make false claims regarding air filtration and ventilation. The Surgeon General Report uses dozens of indoor air quality/cotinine studies and the American Society Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Engineers "Position Document on Environmental Tobacco Smoke" to support its finding that ventilation and other air cleaning technologies cannot completely eliminate all the poisonous toxins and gases in secondhand smoke. Again, this is the work of industrial hygienists, engineers, and scientists.
On the subject of economics, over 22 independently reviewed economic impact studies have discovered that going smoke-free does not harm business. According to the New York State Department, 80% of New York adults favor its comprehensive smoke-free policy. Furthermore the percentage of New Yorkers more likely to visit a bar as a result of the law increase from 17.9% prior to passage to 22.4% afterwards. A similar trend was observed in restaurant patrons that showcased a 26% increase of adults reporting that they were more likely to eat at restaurants as a result of the law. As a result, we have observed an increase in restaurant and bar sales receipts. The New York City Department of Finance recently reported an 8.7% increase in hospitality revenue.
The fact remains – going smoke-free is good for health and good for business. Whole nations such as England, France, and Ireland, and major cities like Hong Kong and Chicago protect their workers and residents, and now there are 12 states in the our nation that have already adopted 100% smoke-free workplaces including bars and restaurants. Health risks are on the decline and economies are strong; therefore, I urge committee members to support a 100%, comprehensive clean indoor air law covering all workplaces including bars, restaurants and casinos so that no one has to breathe the harmful toxins found in secondhand smoke.
At this time I would be happy to address any questions from the Committee.
October 23, 2006
Testimony
Clement Rose, M.D.
Good morning Mr. Chairman and members of the Senate Executive Committee. My name is Dr. Clement Rose; and I am incoming President for the American Cancer Society, Illinois Division Inc. and President of the Medical Staff at Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify in favor of a comprehensive clean indoor air law making all workplaces including restaurants and bars smoke-free. It is the position of the American Cancer Society that only a comprehensive law without any exemptions can properly protect all workers and residents from the harmful affects of secondhand smoke.
The American Cancer Society is a voluntary health organization dedicated to saving lives with over 120,000 volunteers and 207 Relay For Life events statewide serving approximately 10,000 patients annually. In addition, one out of 22 Illinoisans donates to the American Cancer Society per year.
Secondhand smoke is a major public health issue and cause of preventable death. This year approximately 3,000 Illinoisans will die from secondhand smoke exposure. The question of allowing tobacco smoke in the workplace is not about intolerance, lifestyle choice or a culture war. It is an issue of public health.
The clinical factors are irrefutable. Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in this country, killing 65,000 nonsmokers in the U.S. each year. The scientific evidence on the health risks associated with exposure to secondhand smoke is clear, convincing and overwhelming. Secondhand smoke is a known cause of lung cancer, heart disease, chronic lung ailments such as bronchitis and asthma (particularly in children,) and low birth-weight babies.
We already know, and have known for decades, that smoking causes cancer.
But now, thanks to scientific study, we also know that a non-smoking person who works an eight hour shift working in a smoky environment is exposed to the same health risk as if they had smoked 16 cigarettes.
Imagine your reaction if I asked you to pass a resolution stating that smoking 16 cigarettes a day was healthy. You probably would consider that unreasonable.
You would be correct.
But passing a smoke-free law with exemptions is explicitly saying that it is acceptable and healthy for some unlucky non-smokers to effectively be forced to smoke 16 cigarettes a day.
That is also unreasonable.
This is why the American Cancer Society is so adamant that smoke free legislation be 100% comprehensive, and why we will actively oppose any legislation that is less than comprehensive.
No one should have to choose between a good job and good health. No one should have to make a choice between putting food on the table for their family, and involuntarily exposing themselves to the health risk of 16 cigarettes a day.
Even though the Surgeon Generals report of this past summer was unambiguous on this issue, opponents of a 100% comprehensive smoke-free law continually state false facts and skewed information regarding health claims and economics associated with eliminating secondhand smoke from public places.
In regards to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, I want members of this committee to understand that it is a coordinated report that represents the findings of the scientific and research community. As mentioned in the "Preparation of the Report," it was prepared by the Office of Smoking and Health, National Center of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Coordinating Center for Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was written by 22 experts, selected for this knowledge on the particular topic, and peer-reviewed by 40 more professionals. The entire manuscript was then sent to more than 30 scientists for review for scientific integrity.
Our opponents also make false claims regarding air filtration and ventilation. The Surgeon General Report uses dozens of indoor air quality/cotinine studies and the American Society Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Engineers "Position Document on Environmental Tobacco Smoke" to support its finding that ventilation and other air cleaning technologies cannot completely eliminate all the poisonous toxins and gases in secondhand smoke. Again, this is the work of industrial hygienists, engineers, and scientists.
On the subject of economics, over 22 independently reviewed economic impact studies have discovered that going smoke-free does not harm business. According to the New York State Department, 80% of New York adults favor its comprehensive smoke-free policy. Furthermore the percentage of New Yorkers more likely to visit a bar as a result of the law increase from 17.9% prior to passage to 22.4% afterwards. A similar trend was observed in restaurant patrons that showcased a 26% increase of adults reporting that they were more likely to eat at restaurants as a result of the law. As a result, we have observed an increase in restaurant and bar sales receipts. The New York City Department of Finance recently reported an 8.7% increase in hospitality revenue.
The fact remains – going smoke-free is good for health and good for business. Whole nations such as England, France, and Ireland, and major cities like Hong Kong and Chicago protect their workers and residents, and now there are 12 states in the our nation that have already adopted 100% smoke-free workplaces including bars and restaurants. Health risks are on the decline and economies are strong; therefore, I urge committee members to support a 100%, comprehensive clean indoor air law covering all workplaces including bars, restaurants and casinos so that no one has to breathe the harmful toxins found in secondhand smoke.
At this time I would be happy to address any questions from the Committee.