Legislation : Smoke Free Cities Resolution

North Dakota Public Health Association Resolution for Holding Meetings in Smoke-Free Cities

Whereas, numerous studies have found that breathing secondhand smoke also is a cause of disease in healthy nonsmokers, including heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and lung cancer; and

Whereas, the Public Health Service's National Toxicology Program has listed secondhand smoke as a known carcinogen (U.S. DHHS, 2000, citing Cal. EPA, 1997); and

Whereas, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has issued a warning that anyone at risk for heart disease should avoid entering smoke-filled environments; and

Whereas, secondhand smoke is particularly hazardous to elderly people, individuals with cardiovascular disease, and individuals with impaired respiratory function, including asthmatics and those with obstructive airway disease; and

Whereas. local and state governments throughout the country have successfully passed smoke-free air laws to protect people from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke; and

Whereas it is consistent with the policy of North Dakota Public Health Association (NDPHA) to strongly favor policies and laws that limit exposure to secondhand smoke; and

Whereas cities that have adopted smoke-free air laws should be rewarded with increased convention and tourism business; and

Whereas NDPHA should use its market clout and expend its financial resources in cities that have adopted a smoke-free air law;

Therefore be it resolved that North Dakota Public Health Association:

Encourages the planning committee for the Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health to consider holding all future meetings only in cities that have passed smoke free laws; and

Be it further resolved that if no such city exists or can accommodate a meeting, the conference will be held only in smoke-free meeting facilities; and

Be it further resolved that North Dakota Public Health Association strongly encourages other organizations to adopt similar resolutions.

Adopted by North Dakota Public Health Association, March 8, 2005