Tobacco Documents Online

Mar~land A Coalition fo obacco Control NEWS ADVIS(~RY Contact: Eric Gaily For Release On President, Smoke Free Maryland March 9, 1995 (410) 931-6850 Smoke Free Maryland Coalition condemns tobacco industry tactics; urges Maryland Legislature to Support Workplace Smoking Regulation Baltimore, MD., Thursday, March 9, 1995...The Smoke Free Maryland Coalition today condemned the tobacco industry's efforts to mislead and deceive the Maryland public. Several newspapers recently reported that the tobacco industry mounted an all-out assault on the statewide regulation on smoking in indoor workplaces. The Montgomery Journal which endorsed the ban on March 6, 1995, cited the experience of one of their own employees who was called by Phillip Morris, USA, earlier this week. She was told that the regulation would stop her from smoking in her own home. Mary Coughlin, a Phillip Morris spokeswoman in New York City, confirmed that the company has been making phone calls over the last week to Maryland smokers. In response, State officials emphatically denied that the regulation will apply to homes. They decried the tobacco companies efforts to deceive the public and urged Maryland residents to call the companies to complain. Legislators are moving swiftly to weaken the regulation. Said Coalition President Eric Gally, "What is the rush here? Citizens and health advocates aren't being given time to respond. This action will dilute the regulation before the public has a chance to notice." Lawmakers have largely ignored the real purpose of the regulation which is to protect all Maryland workers from secondhand smoke. Dr. Joseph Adams, Coalition Secretary, and a physician in private practice noted, " The public knows that secondhand smoke is a serious health threat. Our legislators have a responsibility to protect all Maryland workers -- not just a select few." The Smoke Free Maryland Coalition condemned the efforts of the tobacco industry to deceive the Maryland public and urged lawmakers to reject efforts to weaken the workplace smoking regulation. Advocates for Q ildren ond Youth American Academy of Pedlatria, Morylana Chapter American Cancer Scciefy, Maryiand Division,l- American HeanAssaciafion, Muryfanc Affilio'e, Inc. Amedcan Lung AssaiaHon af Morqland, Inc Americar..M~edical Women's Assaiofion (Bmns- Baltimore (ty Health Departmenr Baltimore County Departmentof Health CrS Health Cxeup, Inc Church CHAMP Caalition fa Smoke Free Maryland Workpia:es Coalifion ro Stop the Illegal Sale of Tobacco to Minars Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene cr_ Public Health Johns Hopkins Unis2¢iry School of Medid ne League of Women 9otea cf Moryland, Inc. Maryland A¢deny of Family Physic`ans Maryland Assonotlon of Caunty Health Oiters Mory!end Group Against Smakn' Polluior. Mcryhand S'cre Schou Health Couccil Medical and Chirurgical Faculry af Morylcrd Medical and Chirurgical Facolry of Marv asd, Alliance Met:cpolitan Washinptan PubGc Heaah Association National Smoking Cessation Compaign fcr Afri;an American Women Patent Action of Moryland Projetl Bless ~r Young Demarats of Morylnrd SMOKE FREE MARYLAND A Coalition for Tobacco Control 1211 Cathedral Street Baltimore, MD 21201 410-539-0872 FAX 410-547-0915