Erie County Clean Indoor Air

Healthy Reasons for CIA

Secondhand smoke exposure causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke;

Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for SIDS, acute respiratory problems, ear infections, and asthma attacks

There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke;

The mission of the Department of Health is to preserve, promote and protect the health, safety and well being of the people and the environment in Erie County

What is Happening around PA?

Philadelphia- recent City-wide ban signed into effect by the Mayor.PAC3 should send letters supporting Mayor on his decisionBan on smoking not ready to be enforced yet

Harrisburg-recent city-wide ban applies to city owned indoor/outdoor properties

Pittsburgh-City Council and County Exec has passed CIACasino Exemption-recently passed senate could jeopardize the Allegheny

ordinanceStatewide-

HB 1489 stuck in the Health and Human Service committeeRestaurant Association endorses no exemptionsDiffering opinions on how quickly it could come to a vote.

Across the United States, 6,888 municipalities are covered by a 100% smoke-free provision in workplaces, and/or restaurants, and/or bars, by either a state or local law, representing 45.7% of the U.S. population

Erie County Options

• Pass resolution- states support for CIA

• Pass ordinance- eliminates CIA from Erie County Workplaces (Similar to Allegheny County)– Needs support from County Exec– County Council needs to pass– Enforcement issues

IMPACT OF CLEAN INDOOR AIR LAWS IN ERIE COUNTY

For Erie County this means:

• 26% of adults smoke in Erie County, PA. This means that 55,562 people in Erie County Smoke (adult population is about 213,700)

• An estimated 2,778 (5% being modest) to 8,334 (15%) smokers will quit due to clean indoor air legislation

• Using a 5% to 15% reduction in smokers between $9.42M and $28.26M can be saved in lost productivity and medical expenses for smokers Erie County (based on CDC estimate of $3,391 per smoker due to lost productivity and increased medial expenses).

• An additional estimated savings of $1.36M to $4.08M in costs associated with treating non-smokers for illness due to ETS exposure can result (based on CDC estimate of $490 per smoker spent on treating non-smokers).

Threats to CIA

1. Possible preemption-under legal review

2. Non-supporters- political and community

3. Gaming Bill- unfair playing field