U.S. Surgeon General’s Report Bolsters SmokeFreeOhio Campaign

On Tuesday the U.S. Surgeon General issued a new report on the effects of secondhand smoke specifically with regard to its public health hazards. The report highlighted the unequal occupational hazard for restaurant, bar and hotel employees, estimating that only 43 percent of the country’s food service workers are protected against secondhand smoke, while 76 % of white collar workers are. The report further identified smoke-free workplace laws as a key and effective way to protect all Americans and help eliminate these disparities. Local group SmokeFreeOhio is working currently to place a statewide, smoke-fee law on the ballot this November. Thirteen states have passes similar workplace laws that include restaurants and bars. For more information on Ohio’s legislative initiative, visit www.smokefreeohio.org.  The full report of the Surgeon General can be viewed on the Web at www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/secondhandsmoke/