STATEMENT
October 14, 2009
For Immediate Release
Edward Headington
323.935.8050x233 or Edward@HeadingtonMedia.com
Governor Leaves Ailing Californians Gasping for Air with Veto of Smoke-Free Hospital Campuses
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoes AB 574, legislation important to many tobacco cessation advocates
Los Angeles. Breathe California of Los Angeles County (BREATHE LA) has been "protecting the 'Breath of Life' since 1903" and the passage of Assemblymember Jerry Hill's AB 574 was the top priority of the nonprofit, public benefit organization's legislative portfolio for the recent session. The bill would have made hospital campuses smoke-free, protected patients with asthma, and encouraged patients and staff to quit. The Governor wrote that AB 574 would be "unnecessary," yet smoking continues to be the number one cause of preventable death in California.
"While I have commended Governor Schwarzenegger for his courage in other areas, I join others in condemning the veto of Assemblymember Hill's AB 574," said BREATHE LA President & CEO, Enrique Chiock. "This legislation would have moved California forward in the fight against tobacco and nicotine addiction and was completely necessary. Research has shown that smoke-free hospitals have significant and measurable effects on encouraging people to quit smoking."
###
BREATHE California of Los Angeles County (BREATHE LA) is a non-profit, public benefit organization that promotes clean air and healthy lungs through research, education and technology. It has been "Protecting the 'Breathe of Life' since 1903." For more information, go to www.BreatheLA.org.
0 comments:
Post a Comment