Delaware Implements Clean Indoor Air Act: Reducing Exposure to Secondhand Smoke is Goal of Nation's Most Protective Law.

News & Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 27, 2002

Delaware became a national leader today in protection against secondhand smoke as its new Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect.

The law -- considered the most protective smoke-free policy in the nation -- prohibits smoking in all workplaces, including bars, restaurants, casinos and other public places.

Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner was joined by national health leaders, state legislators and other supporters at a news conference today at noon that marked the start of Delaware's smoke-free status.

"For the past 12 hours, Delaware has been the leading state in the nation in protecting workers and citizens from exposure to a substance that is known to cause cancer," said Minner. "This act should not be perceived as a ban on smoking; rather it should be seen as eliminating a cause of cancer from public places where many people work and many people spend their time."

Secondhand smoke is the nation's third leading cause of preventable death in nonsmokers, and is scientifically linked to numerous diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease, asthma and other respiratory diseases. Scientific studies continue to confirm the harmful effects of secondhand smoke on non-smokers.

From 1994-1998, Delaware's cancer incidence rate was 10 percent above the national average. The state's lung cancer rate is the third highest in the nation for women, and the fifth highest for men.

"This law is for Delaware's 32,000 hospitality industry workers who will no longer have to inhale cancer-causing chemicals to earn a living. It is for people with allergies, asthma and other respiratory diseases who will be able to go out in public without fearing an attack. It is for those at risk for pneumonia, bronchitis or heart attack that can be triggered by secondhand smoke, and for every other Delawarean who prefers to live and work in a healthy, smoke-free environment," said Allan Waterfield, chairman of the IMPACT Delaware Tobacco Prevention Coalition.

A recent survey, which included smokers and non-smokers, revealed that 87 percent of adult Delawareans agree that people should be protected from secondhand smoke. The study, conducted by the University of Delaware's Center for Applied Demography for the Division of Public Health, also showed that 32 percent of adult residents are exposed to secondhand smoke at work. Thirty six percent responded that secondhand smoke affects their choice of restaurants and 24 percent said they avoid bars because of secondhand smoke.

"Some say government has no right to try to reduce secondhand smoke in restaurants or bars. That doesn't make any sense," Minner noted. "Government ensures those restaurants and bars thoroughly cook their meat. Government makes sure there are no rodents or insects in those kitchens. Government ensures there is no flaking lead paint or asbestos in those restaurants and bars. Secondhand smoke is more dangerous than any of these."

Studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Society have shown that levels of secondhand smoke in restaurants are approximately 1.6 to 2.0 times higher than in office workplaces, while secondhand smoke levels in bars are 4 to 6 times higher than in offices. Working a shift in a smoky bar was found to be equivalent to actively smoking nearly a pack of cigarettes per day.

Waitresses die from higher rates of lung and heart disease than any other female occupational group, with four times the expected lung cancer mortality and two-and-a-half times the expected heart disease mortality rate.

Protecting employees from such health risks was the primary reason behind Senate Bill 99, the legislation to expand Delaware's Clean Indoor Air Act to prohibit smoking in public places. It was sponsored by Senator David McBride (D), Senator Patricia Blevins (D), Representative Deborah Hudson (R), and Representative Robert Valihura (R).

In the General Assembly, the legislation was supported by 73 percent of the House of Representatives (30 of 41 members) and 85 percent of the Senate (18 of 21 members).

The new law prohibits smoking in most indoor public places including: restaurants; taverns; taprooms; child day care facilities (including private homes); all workplaces; healthcare facilities; schools (both public and non-public); bowling alleys; billiard and pool halls; gaming facilities open to the public; all common-use areas such as hallways, restrooms and lobbies; and 75 percent of hotel rooms.

Supporters of the law say there will be a period of adjustment while business owners, employees and citizens adapt to the smoke-free policy. "In other communities that have enacted smoke-free policies, some establishments experienced a short-term drop in business followed by a steady increase in business from non-smoking patrons," said Deborah Brown, project manager of the IMPACT Coalition's SmokeLess States Public Policy Initiative. "We expect to see similar adjustments in Delaware. If businesses or individuals have concerns or questions during this transition period, we encourage them to contact us for assistance."

For information on Delaware's Clean Indoor Air Act, call 800/LUNG-USA (in Delaware) or visit the IMPACT coalition web site at www.tobaccofreedelaware.org.