A New Survey from the Centers for Disease Control [CDC] Shows That the Worldwide Death Toll from Tobacco May be Increasing Even Faster Than Previously Expected
Smoking kills about five million people each year, and the number will double by 2020 as tobacco companies aggressively seek new markets in developing countries. About half the children surveyed reported that they are subjected to tobacco smoke in public places, with an even greater number being forced to breathe it at home. But, as the New York Times noted: "At least 6,200 children die each year in the United States because of their parents' smoking."
Washington, DC, January 30, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Fortunately, the US is demonstrating to the world that it is necessary to protect children from tobacco smoke, not only in public places, but also in homes and cars where the exposure is much more prevalent and much more dangerous.
While far more than half the states have banned smoking in virtually all public places, and almost half have even banned it in bars, major health organizations have largely ignored the need to protect children from smoke in cars and homes.
But Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has now helped persuade judges in dozens of states to issue orders prohibiting smoking in homes and cars to protect children, almost a dozen states to ban smoking in homes and cars when foster children are present, and three states and many additional jurisdictions to ban smoking in cars when kids are inside.
Indeed, California just became the third state -- following Arkansas and Louisiana -- to ban smoking when children are present in a car. Puerto Rico has a similar ban, as do Tasmania. Australia, Nova Scotia, Canada, and several U.S. cities, including Bangor, Maine. Ontario, Toronto, and many other jurisdictions are reportedly considering similar prohibitions.
"The nonsmokers' rights movement, which has largely worked to protect adults from exposure to tobacco smoke even in areas like bars or restaurants where they have a free choice, is now moving to protect the most innocent and helpless victims of tobacco smoke pollution who have no choice at all," says professor John Banzhaf of ASH. He predicts that such bans will become even more common in only a few years, as more states recognize the need and see how well and how easily they protect children's health. Regarding the new movement to ban smoking in cars, Banzhaf says:
"Soon, letting children sit in a vehicle where adults are smoking will be as common as letting them crawl around on the back seat, sit on a parent's lap, or ride in the bed of a pickup truck, situations which were all too common -- and universally tolerated -- only a few years ago," says Banzhaf.
Professor John F. Banzhaf III
Executive Director and Chief Counsel
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)
2013 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006, USA
(202) 659-4310 // ash.org
###
While far more than half the states have banned smoking in virtually all public places, and almost half have even banned it in bars, major health organizations have largely ignored the need to protect children from smoke in cars and homes.
But Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has now helped persuade judges in dozens of states to issue orders prohibiting smoking in homes and cars to protect children, almost a dozen states to ban smoking in homes and cars when foster children are present, and three states and many additional jurisdictions to ban smoking in cars when kids are inside.
Indeed, California just became the third state -- following Arkansas and Louisiana -- to ban smoking when children are present in a car. Puerto Rico has a similar ban, as do Tasmania. Australia, Nova Scotia, Canada, and several U.S. cities, including Bangor, Maine. Ontario, Toronto, and many other jurisdictions are reportedly considering similar prohibitions.
"The nonsmokers' rights movement, which has largely worked to protect adults from exposure to tobacco smoke even in areas like bars or restaurants where they have a free choice, is now moving to protect the most innocent and helpless victims of tobacco smoke pollution who have no choice at all," says professor John Banzhaf of ASH. He predicts that such bans will become even more common in only a few years, as more states recognize the need and see how well and how easily they protect children's health. Regarding the new movement to ban smoking in cars, Banzhaf says:
"Soon, letting children sit in a vehicle where adults are smoking will be as common as letting them crawl around on the back seat, sit on a parent's lap, or ride in the bed of a pickup truck, situations which were all too common -- and universally tolerated -- only a few years ago," says Banzhaf.
Professor John F. Banzhaf III
Executive Director and Chief Counsel
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)
2013 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006, USA
(202) 659-4310 // ash.org
###
Contact
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)
Public Interest Law Professof John Banzhaf
2026594312
ash.org
Public Interest Law Professof John Banzhaf
2026594312
ash.org
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