Tobacco Documents Online

I I I Sharon S. ::orz 3341 Laiceshore Zr 4ve Sault Ste. ;•'.ar ie, 97;;3 I October 5, .-%0 I i I I I I L L Sunny :ong Chief, Office of Health Education State Health Department 3500 North Logan Str eet Lansing, ;•tichigan RE: Governor's Citizen's Panel on Smoking and Health - In respor.se to Dr. Terrian's request for opinions and thoughts on smoking from Chippewa County residents, I would like to submit the following: As a nonsmoker with an allergy to tobacco smoke, my primary concern is the effect of second-hand smoke on the nonsmoker. As I am sure you are aware, medical evidence has shown that second-hand smoke can cause many ill effects on the nonsmoker. I would like to see strict control on smoking in public places, shopping areas, government agencys, restaurants - any area where a nonsmoker's right to treathe reasonably clean air is being violated. I work in an office where the nonsmokers out number the smokers t•do to one.- Yet, the minority (smokers) are controlling the environment of the ma j ority ( nonsmoker s) . We have no air outtake in our ventilation system and there is a constant "cloud" in the office. I would like to see legislation to control this type of offense. I believe employees should have some legal recourse when an employer refuses to provide adequate ventilation and separation of smokers and nonsmokers. I have previously worked for the State of Oregon and they have a reasonably effective smoking control policy for state offices. It provides for separation by physical barriers and for a ventilation system that must be capable of removing all visible smoke within five minutes. It also stipulates no smoking in conference rooms and allows for the nonsmoker's right to clean air to supercede the smoker's right to smoke. Of course, I would like to see this policy extend to private businesses and restaurants. I am also concerned about the tax subsidy to the tobacco industry. Our govern- ment goes overboard in some instances to protect us from ourselves tnrough legislation and regulation - yet in the case of the tobacco industry, ooverna,ent encourages production of a harmful substance - one that is harmful not only to those who use it but also to the innocent bystanders.' I do not want my tax dollars to subsidize a product that is harmful to my health and to the health of millions. I realize that stopping the suosidy would not mean an immediate cutbac'sc in the number of smokers. However, it would cause the cost of a pack of cigarettes to be extremely high and would thus discourage young people from starting to smoke and would give the current smokers a monetary incentive to quit. T::is would be a slow enough process to allow the tobacco industry time to convert -166-

Sharon S. ~-1onn October 5, 196-10 their tobacco growing and processing operations to something equally profitable but with the public good in mind. I feel regulating smoking in public places together with the cessation of government subsidy to the tobacco industry could cause a great reducation in tobacco related illnesses and death. As it is impossible for me to attend public meetings in Lansing, I would appreciate information on the outcome of these meetings. I am also very willing to become_involved in any capacity to assist with smoking control endeavors in Chippewa County. Thank you for your attention: to this problem in the State of biichigan. Sincerely, SHAROM S. WOIYN P.S. You may contact me by phone at home, 906-fi32-6467, or during the day at the EUP Employment and Training Consortium, 906-635-1752. F F I I I I I I F > I E I L I- L -167-