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Policy
Bill in Senate to Prohibit the Use of Tobacco on Certain
Educational Property Text
of PA SB 196
Act Now!
The Adult Tobacco Use on Educational Property
Law was introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate on February
6, 2003 and was referred to the Education Committee. The
law would extend a prohibition of the use of tobacco products
to all property used, owned, or operated by a school board,
school or charter school. This includes athletic fields
and recreation areas. The use of tobacco on the property
of state institutions of higher learning and other schools
with only adult students is not regulated by this law.
Background Information:
- Young people are especially vulnerable
to the adverse health effects of tobacco smoke pollution.
Asthma, respiratory problems, and cancer call all be caused
or exacerbated by secondhand smoke.
- Prohibiting the adult use of tobacco
products on educational property consistently gives students
positive examples to follow, as a considerable amount
of thier time is spent at school and school-related activities.
- Tobacco-free school events are more
enjoyable for all in attendence, and healthier for athletes
at sporting events.
- The American Lung Association includes
having tobacco-free schools in its list of factors that
contribute to effective school smoking policies.
Use the following
links to e-mail members of the Education Committee, and
encourage them to support the Adult Tobacco Use on Educational
Property Law.
To find your district and senator, click
here.
When writing to a Senator, please remember
to be brief, to include your name and address, and to never
threaten him/her.
James
Rhoades--Chair (R-District 29)
Harold Mowery,
Jr.--Vice Chair
(R-District 31)
Allyson Schwartz--Minority
Chair (D-District
4)
Robert
Tomlinson (R-District 6)
Vincent J. Hughes
(D-District 7)
Dominic Pileggi
(R-District 9)
Constance
Williams (D-District
17)
Gerald LaValle
(D-District 47)
Jane M. Earll (R-District
49)
For more information about the effects
of environmental tobacco smoke exposure, visit the Clean
Air Council's Indoor Air site. Click here to view the
American Lung Association's Tobacco-Free Schools factsheet.
Updated 10/03/03
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