Clean Air News

Philadelphia, PA —With one of the most broadly supported public health proposals facing a potential veto by Philadelphia Mayor John Street, members of the medical community came out in force this morning to call for the passage of the Smoke-Free Workplaces legislation.

With the legislation mired in an ongoing political rivalry between the Mayor and ex-councilman Michael Nutter, some of Philadelphia ’s most respected medical experts spoke out with the hopes that good public health policy isn’t caught in the crosshairs of big political personalities.

“We cannot let politics get in the way of protecting public health,” stated David Masur, Director for PennEnvironment and a board member for the Philadelphia Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility. “With so much at risk, what could possibly motivate Mayor Street to halt the passage of the Philadelphia Smoke-Free Workplaces legislation?”

“Without a city-wide smoking ban, the indoor exposure to second hand smoke from friends and customers poses a health risk, and more importantly applies social pressure to accept smoking in young adulthood,” said Dr. Bill King , vice president for the Philadelphia Chapter of PSR and a local pediatrician practicing in Philadelphia. “After all the effort we put into keeping kids from smoking, we need the mayor to get us our city smoking ban, and remove the smoke from our indoor public environment.” 

After nearly five years of debate and inaction, Philadelphia City Council passed a much-needed and highly supported public health policy in the form of the Smoke-Free Workplace legislation by a vote of 9-6.

Just two weeks after the passage of the Smoke-Free Workplaces legislation by Philadelphia ’s City Council , U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona issued a comprehensive scientific report which concluded that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25 to 30 percent and lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent.

The report went on to state that nearly half of all nonsmoking Americans are still regularly exposed to secondhand smoke.

“The good news is that, unlike some public health hazards, secondhand smoke exposure is easily prevented, “ stated Surgeon General Carmona stated during the report’s release. “Smoke-Free indoor environments are proven, simple approaches that prevent exposure and harm.”

If Mayor Street were to veto the Smoke-Free Workplaces proposal, the future of the legislation is in question.

"I hope he signs it," said Philadelphia Councilman Brian O'Neill in the September 13 th edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "…I think it'll be difficult to put nine votes together again... .You're at the one-yard line here."

Proponents stated that the time for action is now.

“This proposal has broad support from Philadelphia residents, the Chamber of Commerce and the restaurant industry,” stated Masur. “We need less talk and we need more action.”