Following the House Economic Matters Committee hearing on Monday and ahead of the Senate Finance Committee meeting on Friday, Lance Kilpatrick, government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Maryland, released the following statement:
“Since the 1980s, we've known that secondhand smoke can cause cancer, along with a host of other devastating health effects, like heart disease. Yet, despite the crystal-clear proof that exposure to secondhand smoke is dangerous—and that smoke-free laws work—lawmakers are considering legislation that would undermine the Clean Indoor Air Act and the health of Maryland workers.
“The House Economic Matters Committee is currently reviewing legislation that would allow establishments that sell cigars and pipe tobacco to serve alcohol and exempt these establishments from the Clean Indoor Air Act. This would encourage smoking and increase exposure to secondhand smoke. In response, ACS CAN is standing alongside cancer survivors, health advocates and our public health allies in calling on lawmakers to oppose House Bill 1318 and Senate Bill 934.
“This legislation gashes the critical protections currently in place in Maryland by expanding the number of businesses that are exempt from the smoke-free law and violate the spirit and intent of the Clean Indoor Air Act.
“This proposal also serves to normalize smoking in our communities, which sends the wrong message to our young people and provides tobacco companies with another opportunity to aggressively market their addictive and deadly products. Everyone has the right to breathe clean, smoke-free air. No one should have to choose between their health and a paycheck. ACS CAN calls on the members of the House Economic Matters and Senate Finance Committees to stop this legislation from going any further and protect the health and safety of our communities.”
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.