Smoke-Free Workplace Legislation Will Save Lives ­ and It Won't…

 Smoke-Free Workplace
Legislation Will Save Lives
    ­ and It Won't Hurt
         Business




                              1
        Tobacco is the Leading Epidemic of Our
       Time--and Second-Hand Smoke Also Kills
                 Smoking                                                                      ~10,000


        Breast Cancer                                                               1,266

           Secondhand
                                                                          ~1,000
             Smoke

     Prostate Cancer                                                853


                Homicide                                       714


                                 0                 500                1000            1500   2000
                                           Deaths per year in NYC, 2000
   Source: New York City Department of Health, Summary of Vital Statistics, 2000.




· Tobacco use is the leading epidemic of our time, causing one
  of every 6 deaths in New York City and a third of all
  preventable deaths.

· Second-hand smoke is also a leading cause of death nationally
  and in New York City.

· In addition, second-hand smoke causes illnesses in more than
  40,000 New Yorkers every year:
    · Asthma exacerbation (14,000 cases)
    · Respiratory infections (5,000 cases)
    · Ear infections in children (24,000 cases).




                                                                                                        2
      Food Service Workers Have the Highest
      Risk of Harm from Second-Hand Smoke

       · Only 1 in 5 food service employees nationwide
         works in a smoke-free environment

       · Working an 8-hour shift, bartenders inhale
         carcinogens similar to smoking more than ½ pack
         of cigarettes

       · Bar and restaurant workers face a 50% greater
         risk of lung cancer than other workers
    Sources: Gerlach, K. et al. "Workplace Smoking Policies in the US," Tobacco Control, 1997; Seigel, M. "Smoking
    and Restaurants: A Guide for Policy-Makers," 1992; Siegel, M. Involuntary smoking in the restaurant workplace: a
    review of employee exposure and health effects. JAMA, 1993.




· Bartenders and waiters have the highest level of exposure to
  second-hand smoke of any occupational group in the United
  States.

· Restaurant workers are exposed to second-hand smoke levels
  that are up to 2 times higher than in office workplaces.
  Bartenders are at even greater risk, with exposure levels 4 to 6
  times higher than in offices.




                                                                                                                       3
        NYC's Current Law Fails to
         Ensure Safe Workplaces
    · Smoking is currently permitted in:
       ­ Stand-alone bars and bar areas of restaurants
       ­ Restaurants