[C-U Smokefree] New Gazette editorial

[Scott P Hays]

George was good enough to type in this letter to the editor from Whitney
Dye from Friday's News-Gazette. She's not a member of our group, but
apparently knows of our effort.  If anybody can figure out how to touch
base with her, we should.  It's a ringing endorsement of our effort!!
And totally unsolicited!!

Scott


-----Original Message-----
From: George R. Carlisle, Jr. [mailto:carlisle at soltec.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 10:41 AM
To: Scott P Hays; Daniel S Lewart
Subject: Re: [C-U Smokefree] New Gazette editorial, et al.

Dear Scott:

Here is letter in Friday's N-G I have transcribed to you. The Online
does
not have letters to the editor:

DANGERS OF SMOKING CANNOT BE OVERSTATED

To the Editor:

This week marks the 40th anniversary of the 1964 Surgeon General's
Report on
Smoking and Health.   This was the first widely publicized report that
officially recognized that cigarette smoking is a cause of cancer and
other
serious and deadly diseases.

    American Cancer Society volunteers are marking the anniversary by
calling on elected officials to protect the health of our work force by
making our workplaces smoke-free.

    In 1964 people knew very little about the dangers of smoking. We
have
come a long way from the days of smoke-filled conference rooms,
airplanes,
and even schools.  Today we know all too well the health impact of using
tobacco products, not only to the smoker, but also to the people around
the
smoker.

    Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in
the
United States. It is the culprit behind 38,000 deaths every year,
including
3000 lung cancer deaths among otherwise healthy nonsmokers.

    Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 substances including more
than
40 carcinogens.

    Secondhand smoke is the reason why today there are more than 1600
smoke-free communities. To save and protect our health, our city must
join
them. 
    The last 40 years, we have seen tremendous advances in changing
people's
beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes toward smoking.  Now we are at the
next
level. In light of this important public health anniversary, our
community
has the opportunityto protect the health of all workers against the
dangers
of smoke-filled air.

    No one should have to decide between a job and good health. Everyone
has
the right to breathe clean air in our city.

--Whitney Dye, Urbana--

--News Gazette, Page A-6, Friday, January 16, 2004--