Pierre, S.D. – March 28, 2019 – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is celebrating the legislature’s passage of and Gov. Kristi Noem signing legislation into law that will prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in public places where smoking is prohibited. David Benson, government relations director for ACS CAN released the following statement:
“On behalf of our cancer advocates across the state, ACS CAN applauds South Dakota’s legislature for passing and Gov. Noem for signing this significant public health legislation. The aerosol from e-cigarettes is not harmless. It can contain harmful and potentially harmful chemicals, including nicotine; ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs; flavoring such diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease; volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which is found in car exhaust; and cancer-causing chemicals and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin and lead.
“This legislation will continue to protect the rights of those who live or work in South Dakota to breathe clean air, free from secondhand exposure to nicotine and other potentially harmful chemicals found in these products. It will also help ensure that enforcement of existing smoke-free laws is not compromised, and that the public health benefits of smoke-free laws are not undermined.
“We thank Sen. Rocky Blare and Rep. Carl Perry for sponsoring and supporting this bill. We thank the South Dakota legislature for passing this legislation and the Governor for signing it into law to help protect the health of all South Dakotans. This is an important first step in addressing the growing use of e-cigarettes in the state.”
About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
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