“The debate is over. The science is clear. Secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance, but a serious health hazard.”
-- June 27, 2006
Click here to see the Surgeon General's full report
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NewsGroup: Current smoking ban is workingBy Jessica Robertson Published April 19, 2007 Both sides of Baytown’s great smoking debate are gearing up for next month’s election that will include a proposed ordinance to repeal the city’s ban on indoor smoking and allow restaurants to have designated sections for smokers. The SmokeFree Baytown Coalition, which backed the ban that was passed by 57 percent of voters in November, held a press conference on Wednesday at the San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Cancer Center to kick off their campaign to defeat the latest initiative. Houston Takes Historic Stand for Right to Breathe Smoke-Free Air
Statement of William V. Corr Executive Director, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Washington, DC - The Houston City Council, with the strong support of Mayor Bill White, has taken a historic stand for the public’s right to breathe clean air by approving a comprehensive smoke-free workplace ordinance that includes restaurants and bars. The Houston leaders who supported the ordinance will leave a legacy of improved health for Houston residents, workers and visitors for generations to come. Houston joins the ranks of world-class cities that have acted to protect ALL workers and the public from the serious health hazards of secondhand smoke. Houston’s example should spur other communities in Texas – indeed states and communities across the United States – to pass strong smoke-free laws and protect everyone’s right to breathe clean air. Both sides of smoking ban gearing upBy Jessica Robertson Published October 1, 2006 A proposed smoking ban in Houston restaurants and bars has received support from the city’s business community, but a similar ordinance in Baytown has yet to garner similar backing. Baytown City Council voted in August to put the ordinance, which was drafted by the SmokeFree Baytown Coalition and would make smoking in bars and restaurants illegal, to a public vote, scheduled for Nov. 7. Coalition spokesman Richard Ehlers said that local business groups and workers’ unions — including the Baytown Chamber of Commerce — have not publicly endorsed the ban. Although the group would welcome any endorsements, he said, they are not actively seeking them. “We’re focused on the election itself, not on garnering as many endorsements as we can get,” Ehlers said. “It’s an effort to encourage the grassroots support we already know exists and to get those people to turn out at the polls.” Report reignites smoking-ban debateBy Jessica Robertson Published July 2, 2006 A U.S. surgeon general report could be the catalyst for a referendum on banning smoking in public places in November. Surgeon General Richard Carmona reported this week that the harmful effects of secondhand smoke are greater than originally thought. What Carmona refers to as “involuntary smoking” causes premature death and disease in millions of American children and adults who are exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes and workplaces. President of San Jacinto Methodist Hospital S. Jeffrey Ackerman said the report substantiates the argument that smoking sections in restaurants and bars are not enough protection for employees and customers. Coalition UpdateThe SmokeFree Baytown Coalition will be kicking off our education campaign in the coming weeks. Our goal is to educate the community about the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. The Coalition will not be pushing a ballot initiative at this time. Instead, our focus is to raise awareness and establish the fact that secondhand smoke is a significant public health issue. We encourage you to tell your friends and family about www.smokefreebaytown.org and ask them to show their support by signing the support form online. Anti-Smoking Coalition Holds Press ConferencePublished January 17, 2006 The SmokeFree Baytown Coalition will hold its inaugural press conference today with the stated aim of educating Baytown on the dangers of secondhand smoke, but some believe the event will be a precursor to a push for stronger city ordinances against smoking. According to a press release, the coalition will “detail its comprehensive plans to educate the community on the dangers of secondhand smoke and encourage actions leading to reductions in the numbers of citizens exposed to this harmful substance.” Read the article online at the read more Coalition Butts Head with OppositionPublished January 22, 2006 BAYTOWN — Opponents of the SmokeFree Baytown Coalition and its goal of a more restrictive smoking ordinance announced Saturday their own plans to appeal to voters. Both sides have plans to get a new ordinance passed. The coalition wants more restrictions. Their opponents propose taking a more relaxed version of the original smoking ordinance. Read the article online at the Baytown Sun Coalition unveils plans to ban smoking in publicPublished January 18, 2006 Of course, the SmokeFree Baytown Coalition wants City Council to ban smoking in all public buildings and work sites. Speaking at a press conference Tuesday, Dr. Richard Ehlers said the coalition is concerned for the safety and health for the public in Baytown. “We are simply advocating for public health protection,” Ehlers said. “We are in favor of clarifying (the smoking ordinance) to be what it was intended to be — allowing those who chose not to smoke the right to clean air.” That would mean no smoking in any retail store, public building, restaurant, park or place of employment in Baytown. The current ordinance already bans smoking in public places that are not designated smoking areas and within 15 feet of the entrance of a public place. Many businesses in Baytown already prohibit smoking in the work place or provide a separate smoking area, but they volunteer to do it.  |
