LETTER: Workplaces should all be smoke-free

Publication Date: 2005-08-20

• Author:Joan Krier
• Publication:East Brunswick (NJ) Home News Tribune

Lung cancer may be a new big news topic right now because of the death of Peter Jennings. But it's nothing new considering 172,600 other Americans will be diagnosed with the disease in 2005. And more than 163,500 people will die of the disease this year, more than will die from breast, colon and prostate cancer combined.

While most people who die from lung cancer are current or former smokers, 10-15 percent, or about 3,000 victims this year alone, never smoked at all. But many of these people were exposed to secondhand smoke on a regular basis. . . . Polls show that 75 percent of New Jersey residents favor clean indoor air legislation. So why the delay in passing it? . . .

All New Jersey residents should be protected from the dangers of secondhand smoke when they go to work each day. The New Jersey Prevention Network urges acting Gov. Richard Cody and New Jersey legislators to pass clean indoor air legislation now, so we can all breathe easier and safer.

--Joan Krier

Executive Director

New Jersey Prevention Network