05/09/1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The American Lung Association of Texas supports all efforts by local governments to establish a smoke -free society and prevent minor's access to tobacco products. The medical evidence of the detrimental effects of tobacco use is well documented. As cities recognize a major source of their health care costs (smoking related illnesses being the number one cause of death and disability) they should have the incentive to implement preventive policy. Tobacco is directly responsible for 434,000 deaths each year in the United States (Centers for Disease Control) and more than 23,000 deaths in Texas (Texas Department of Health). The ability of cities to respond quickly to scientific data and make public health decisions is very important to the public well- being. Recent findings have concluded that tobacco smoke is harmful not only to the smoker, but is also deadly to the person breathing "secondhand" smoke. In their January 1993 report, EPA concluded that environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a Group A carcinogen, responsible for approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths annually in U.S. nonsmokers. This is the same classification given to asbestos, arsenic, benzene and other substances known to cause cancer in humans (EPA report, "The Respiratory Health Effects of Passive Smoking "). Additionally, it is estimated that there are 150,000 to 300,000 cases annually of bronchitis and pneumonia in infants and young children up to 18 months of age that are attributable to ETS. Because of all the evidence against smoking, it is imperative that our children be educated about these dangers in order to make informed decisions. It is our responsibility, however, as parents, teachers and policy makers to do everything in our power to prevent the easy accessibility to tobacco products that we find in most retail establishments today. While we have a state law preventing tobacco sales to minors, it is rarely enforced. The ability of minors to purchase tobacco products should be treated the same way as sales of alcoholic beverages. Both alcohol and nicotine are drugs. By allowing our youth easy access to tobacco products, we are setting them up for a lifetime of addiction and an almost certain shortened life expectancy ending in disease and suffering. Because 75% of adult smokers began smoking before their 18th birthday, restricting the access that children have to tobacco could have a dramatic impact on the problem of nicotine addiction. You have the power to do what is right for your community. We encourage you to set an example for your youth and other communities in this state by passing a strong ordinance that creates a smoke -free healthy environment and protects minors from tobacco products.