November 17, 2005       (937) 374-5660 or toll-free at 1(866) 858-3588

Greene County Combined Health District Endorses SmokeFreeOhio

Greene County Combined Health District announces its endorsement of SmokeFreeOhio today, as the campaign turns in more than 100,000 signatures to the Ohio Secretary of State to pass s statewide, smoke-free workplace law.

“Every Ohioan has the right to breathe clean indoor air,” said Sara Pappa, Director of Health Education.  “Secondhand smoke kills 53,000 Americans each year through cancer, heart disease and lung disease.  That’s why we’re proud to be among the hundreds of organizations that have signed on  to support SmokeFreeOhio thus far.  The people of Greene County and all of Ohio understand the dangers of secondhand smoke, and have shown tremendous support for smoke-free places.”

Ohio showed strong support for a smoke-free Ohio.  Voters from all 88 counties signed in support of a SmokeFreeOhio.

Once the petitions are certified, the signatures will put the strong, statewide, smoke-free law before the Ohio General Assembly in January.  If lawmakers do not act to protect the health of Ohioans, SmokeFreeOhio will gather another 100,000 signatures to put the issues before voters on November 7, 2006.

At least 20 Ohio cities have passed laws to protect residents from secondhand smoke.  However, only a statewide law can protect all Ohioans from this Hazard.  When voters approve the initiative in 2006, Ohio will join nine other states with strong clean indoor air laws.

All major health organizations, including the U.S. Surgeon general, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health, the World Health Organization, the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognize that secondhand smoke poses a health hazard to nonsmokers. 

The CDC takes the risk of secondhand smoke triggering a heart attack so seriously, it recommends anyone with a heart disease avoid any building where smoking is permitted.  Workers exposed to secondhand smoke are 34 percent more likely to develop lung cancer, according to the CDC.  The U.S. EPA says there is no safe level of exposure.  Asking smokers to step outside will save lives.

SmokeFreeOhio is a campaign led by the American Cancer Society, in partnership with the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the Ohio Hospital Association, the Ohio State Medical Association and Tobacco-Free Ohio.

Timeline:

Jan. 2006: The statewide smoke-free law goes before the Ohio General Assembly.

May 2006: If lawmakers have not passed the law, or have amended it, volunteers will collect another 96,780 signatures to put the issue on the November ballot.

Nov. 7, 2006: Voters decide to protect everyone’s right to breathe clean air!  The law takes effect 30 days after the election.

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