Air Resources Board Labels Second-hand Smoke as a Toxin

[The Straight Story]

Air Resources Board Labels Second-hand Smoke as a Toxin
Written for the web by C. Johnson, Internet News Producer
kxtv, California

The California Air Resources Board has designated second-hand smoke as a toxic air contaminant that can cause or contribute to illness or death. California is the first state to make the distinction.

The ARB made the designation based on its evaluation of the content of what it terms environmental tobacco smoke, as well as studies of the health effects of smoke conducted by the state's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

The OEHHA evaluation showed links between exposure to second-hand smoke and premature births, low birth-weight babies and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Other demonstrated effects on children include asthma and its exacerbation as well as respiratory and middle-ear infections.

Adults may also face health problems connected with exposure to second-hand smoke, the OEHHA concluded. There are more cases of breast cancer in pre-menopausal women exposed to second-hand smoke, and it has been shown to have links to lung and sinus cancer, heart disease, asthma, and eye and nasal irriations.

http://www.kxtv.com/storyfull2.aspx?storyid=15567

[Shortyfuse]

1. Kiss my Ass

This is not a political matter and has never been. I do not smoke but, let me tell you something. We have lost so many vote with that damn camping. All it did was raise the cost of cigs. Just another tax on the poor. If someone wants to smoke their self to death in this free country that is their damn business. Let me tell you what happened to Austin Tx ( Austin City Limits) who by the way voted overwhelmingly for Demo. They banned smoking in bars.they hauled one bar owner to court for just having ashtrays in his bar. Austin is the music capital with a merging independent film industry. That is shot to hell because of this invasion of privacy. So do look for my applause on that.

[The Straight Story]

2. Hey, I am with you on this :)

I am sick of the anti-smoking nuts.

[Cats Against Frist]

3. It's true, everybody's got a "good reason" for everything

Privacy seems to be OK if you want to toss a fetus in the dumpster*, but god-for-fucking-bid if a person wants to congregate in a smoking establishment with other smokers, with the consent of the owner.

What this California law seeks to do is punish parents for smoking around or in front of children, or, perhaps, when pregnant. I disapprove of people who smoke where their children are exposed to the smoke -- I am a smoker, and I have a son, and when I was pregnant, I quit, and I smoke outside, and I don't smoke in the car, and I don't smoke around little kids. However, another detailed round of "Please, Government God, Teach Me How To Wipe My Ass," isn't necessary. I already have the Religious Right Supreme Court gearing up to burn me at the fucking stake -- the last thing that I need is a left-wing CPS witch hunt.

*This statement is for "af-fect," simply to illustrate that, like assholes, everyone has an opinion on what's "right." I am actually pro-choice, because I believe in the autonomy of free adults to make their own fucking decisions about what's good or bad for them. Unfortunately, the "fetus as life" is a construct that I cannot sacrifice liberty to. I wish it were otherwise.

[leftstreet]

4. ROFL!!

[Shortyfuse]

5. I agree

When they stop driving cars smokers can stop smoking. Look at that pollution.