Coalition applauds Sen. Ellis and Rep.

Crownover for
introducing bills to make Texas workplaces smoke free

Legislation is a product of consensus reached after several years of collaboration

and debate for a comprehensive smoke-free workplace law in Texas

AUSTIN – Smoke-Free Texas congratulates Sen. Rodney Ellis (D- Houston) and Rep. Myra
Crownover (R-Denton) for filing Senate Bill 355 and House Bill 670 respectively. The bills,
filed Friday, propose comprehensive smoke-free legislation that would give all Texans protection
from the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure in the workplace.

“We applaud Senator Ellis and Representative Crownover for their leadership in promoting this
vital public health issue in the Texas Senate and House of Representatives,” said Joel Romo,
senior director of government relations for American Heart Association and coalition steering
committee member. “The bills are a major step forward in addressing the serious dangers of
secondhand smoke exposure and ensuring protection for all Texans in the workplace.”

This legislation is a product of discussions and feedback by stakeholders and lawmakers over the
last several years. By passing a comprehensive smoke-free workplace law, lawmakers can
continue the fight against cancer, heart disease and other preventable health risks caused by
exposure to secondhand smoke.

“The filing of these bills adds to the increasing momentum for a comprehensive statewide law,”
said James Gray, director of state legislative and government relations for American Cancer
Society and coalition steering committee member. “Twenty-nine states already have
comprehensive smoke-free laws, and 34 Texas cities, including the state’s four largest, have
passed comprehensive smoke-free ordinances. Only 45 percent of Texans living in incorporated
cities are protected from secondhand smoke in the workplace.”

Unfortunately, many Texans live in unincorporated cities or rural areas where no entity exists to
pass or enforce this type of legislation. Without a statewide smoke-free workplace law, 23
percent of Texans will remain unprotected from secondhand smoke exposure. All Texans
deserve the right to breathe smoke-free air in the workplace.

“Now is the time for Texas to pass a law protecting Texans from the dangers of secondhand
smoke,” said Melinda Little, southern regional director for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and
co-chair for the Smoke-Free Texas Coalition. “Our coalition looks forward to working with
Senator Ellis, Representative Crownover and other lawmakers to ensure a healthier environment
for Texans in 2011.”

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Smoke-Free Texas is a broad coalition of organizations who believe all Texas employees have
the right to breathe clean indoor air. Because science tells us that secondhand smoke kills, we
support a statewide law to protect Texans from the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure in
the workplace. Our members include the American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society
Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Americans
for Nonsmokers’ Rights, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, LIVESTRONG and the Texas Parent
Teacher Association. Visit our website for more information at www.smokefreetexas.org.