Calif. classifies second-hand smoke a toxic risk

[Kadie]

Calif. classifies second-hand smoke a toxic risk
44 minutes ago



SACRAMENTO, California (Reuters) - A California agency voted on Thursday to classify second-hand tobacco smoke as a "toxic air contaminant," a first-in-the-nation move that could ultimately toughen state regulations against smoking.

The designation by California's Air Resources Board starts a process that could lead to further smoking bans in the nation's largest state, which has often pioneered in health and environmental regulation.

Scientific studies in recent years have warned about the health impact from second-hand smoke and linked it to a wide array of ailments including heart disease, lung cancer and other respiratory ailments, and breast cancer.

"I think there is no question that this puts California way ahead," said John Froines, chairman of the Air Resources Board's Scientific Review Panel.

"To actually have the major air pollution agency in the state of California to list ETS (environmental tobacco smoke) as a toxic air contaminant is going to have immense impact, we think, in terms of public education around other states," he said. "It will clearly lead to regulatory changes within the state."

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060126/hl_nm/california_smoke_dc_3

[Drum]

1. Here we go...

everybody pile on.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

2. That's going to set one heluva bar... Be careful of what you wish for.

Cleaning products.
Insecticides.
Fertilizers.
Products containing chlorine.
Automobiles.
Perfumes.
Paint.
Plastics.
Dyes.

All these things could probably be shown to be as damaging as a cigarette burning ten feet away in an open environment. If they open the door for this, it will be hard to shut it if someone gets it in their head that they don't like their boss's perfume or aftershave.

[Sandpiper]

3. Soon the pristine air of Southern California

Will be blissfully free of tobacco smoke.


Only gasoline and diesel exhaust for us thank you very much!