75. That is a powerful number. 75 represents the percentage of Virginians who want a smoke-free environment. Currently, Virginia is one of 20 states left in the country that allows smoking in public places such as restaurants, clubs and other areas. The Surgeon General tells us that there is NO safe level of second hand smoke. No safe level, period. So, why are we still allowing our establishments to have smoking? I'll tell you why.
Money.
Money is very powerful. I lobbied today and looked my Representative in the eye and asked him to sign a bill that would ban all indoor smoking among public places. Senator Martin told me he would never sign the bill due too many of his constituents who are employed by the tobacco industry. Yes, it is true, I live in Chesterfield County. We are the 4th wealthiest county in the state of Virginia. Virginia is the 10th wealthiest state in the country. We have an abundance of wealthy residents, therefore money is power. BUT I am hopeful that my beautiful state of Virginia will eventually catch up with the rest of the country.
Heart disease continues to be the leading killer of Americans. Smoking is the number one preventable cause of death. Banning indoor smoking and raising the cigarette tax to .89 cents would prevent thousands of teens from lighting up for the first time. It would also save millions of dollars that we shell out for smoke induced diseases funded/treated by Medicaid. Does it make sense that you and I pay taxes to provide healthcare for an addiction created by the tobacco industry? Currently, the tax on cigarettes only pays for 1/4 of this, so let's raise it. Log onto americanheart.org for more info. Or contact your represenative at:
I am hopeful that change can happen. Look how far our country has come. Maybe more change is in the air??
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