[Name] County Public Meeting To gather citizen input on the need for and scope of a law to protect the public in [Name] County from the health dangers of secondhand smoke.

Secondhand Smoke is a mixture of smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette,pipe, or cigar, and the smoke exhaled from the lungs of smokers

Why is [Name] County considering a Clean Indoor Air Regulation? On [date], the [fill in] Committee of the County Commissioners directed the Health Officer to schedule a series of public forums and then submit to the Commissioners a recommendation on how to protect citizens from the health dangers of secondhand smoke.

Why are [Name] County officials concerned about secondhand smoke in workplaces and public places?

Secondhand Smoke... n Is a Group A carcinogen -- a substance known to cause cancer in humans for which there is no safe level of exposure. National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences Report, issued May 15, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report, issued July, n At least 38,000 to 65,000 deaths annually in U.S. result from secondhand smoke-caused diseases. U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, April 12, 2002 report; and National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences Report, May 15, n Thousands more people suffer from chronic & debilitating conditions caused by these diseases, including the effects of emphysema, cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. California Environmental Protection Agency report “Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke,” September, 1997.

Secondhand Smoke... Contains over 4,000 compounds -- more than 40 of which are Group A carcinogens which cause cancer in humans or animals. Includes: ammonia, arsenic, benzene, cadmium, carbon monoxide, chromium VI, DDT, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, lead, nickel, N- nitrosamines, sulfur dioxide, vinyl chloride. Also includes pesticide residues. International Agency for Research on Cancer chart, 1986; U.S. Surgeon General’s Report of 1989; California EPA Report, September, 1997.

Secondhand Smoke... Causes lung and other cancers, and heart disease. Is responsible for respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis, especially in infants, children and older persons. Increases risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and middle ear infections in children. Is a major health threat to persons with asthma -- sometimes fatal. American College of Occupational & Environmental Medicine position statement, July 30, 2000; California EPA report, September, 1997.

Secondhand Smoke... Causes burning of the eyes, nose, and throat; headaches; increases in the heart rate and blood pressure and upsets the stomach. Nonsmokers who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work have almost double the risks of heart disease. Causes 30 times as many lung cancer deaths as all regulated air pollutants combined. U.S. Surgeon General’s report, 1986; American Heart Association.

What is the source of all this data on secondhand smoke? n n Hundreds of scientific studies conducted worldwide with professional “peer” reviews to assure their validity. n n Reports from governmental agencies around the globe, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Great Britain, the European Union, etc. n n Rigorous reviews of the scientific studies, including by the following: – –California Environmental Protection Agency – –U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – –Canadian Clearinghouse on Tobacco & Health – –World Health Organization (WHO) – –U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention – –National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH)

Thus, from a health perspective, the debate is over -- secondhand smoke is a serious health danger to persons of all ages, especially infants, children and older persons with respiratory problems.

As a result, the [Name] County Commissioners are concerned about protecting the public -- employees, employers and citizens of all ages -- from the health dangers of secondhand smoke in worksites and public places.

Therefore, the County Health Officer has been directed to develop recommendations for the [Name] County Commissioners to protect the public from secondhand smoke.

Among the recommendations under consideration is the enactment by the County Commissioners in 2002 of a countywide regulation which would do one or more of the following:

Make almost all indoor public places smoke-free, including: n All county and municipal buildings and vehicles; n All indoor sports and convention facilities; n Museums, theaters, entertainment venues; n Retail stores, banks, laundromats and businesses open to the public; n Educational facilities; n Community centers, homeless shelters; n Health clubs open to the public, bowling alleys, indoor public swimming pools, etc. n Common areas of hotels, motels, apartments, office buildings, malls, retirement facilities, etc.

Make almost all indoor worksites smoke-free, including: n All professional offices, medical and dental clinics, health care facilities, law offices, etc.; n All for-profit and non-profit businesses, corporations, factories, and related worksites; n Any worksites or portions thereof under the control of a private or public employer which employees use during the course of their work (except those in a private residence, unless it is used as a child care, adult day care or health care facility).

Restrict smoking in restaurants, as follows: n Require at least 80% of the seating to be in a smoke-free area of the facility. n Require the smoke-free area to be completely free of secondhand smoke. n Enable employees to freely make their own choice about whether they must work in the smoking area of the facility, without fear of retaliation. n Reaffirm the current right of the owner to make the entire restaurant smoke-free, if that is her/his choice.

Restrict smoking in bars, as follows: n Require at least 80% of the seating to be in a smoke-free area of the facility. n Require the smoke-free area to be completely free of secondhand smoke. n Enable employees to freely make their own choice about whether they must work in the smoking area of the facility, without fear of retaliation. n Reaffirm the current right of the owner to make the entire bar smoke-free, if that is her/his choice.

Why are restaurants & bars being treated differently than other worksites? n n While restaurants and bars are clearly worksites, there is a state law which the Michigan Appeals Court has ruled prohibits counties and municipalities from totally prohibiting smoking in restaurants and bars. n n However, that same court decision says that counties and municipalities can regulate smoking in restaurants and bars so that smoking is restricted to certain areas of the facilities. n For smoking to be prohibited entirely in restaurants and bars will require a change in the state law to be made by the state legislature and governor.

In developing the recommendations for the County Commissioners, the Health Officer has been asked to gather input from the public. This meeting is one of a number called for this purpose. The floor is now open for your comments.

For more information about secondhand smoke and smoke-free regulations, you may visit the following web sites: