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The annual American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control: 2006 report has been released.  This national report card analyzes state tobacco control laws in four key areas—smokefree air, tobacco program funding, cigarette excise taxes and youth access to tobacco.  Maryland fared poorly, scoring grades "D" in tobacco prevention and control spending, "F" in youth access to tobacco, "B" in smokefree air and a "C" in cigarette excise tax.

This report should be a wake-up call to the legislature and our governor about the status of tobacco control in Maryland.  While clearly our state has work to do in various areas of tobacco control, one of the most immediate concerns is our smokefree air laws.  Although Maryland does restrict smoking in some public places such as childcare centers, retails stores and private and government worksites (earning the state a "B" in this category), our smokefree air laws do not protect restaurant and bar workers and patrons. More than 1,000 nonsmoking Marylanders die from secondhand smoke each year. No one in Maryland should have to breathe toxic fumes when visiting or working in a bar or restaurant. The time is now to pass a smokefree law that will save lives.

In 2006, the U.S. Surgeon General released a report stating that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.  The report also concludes that eliminating smoking in all indoor spaces is the only way to fully protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke.

Please take a moment to send the attached letter to the Governor-elect and your representatives in Annapolis in support of legislation to protect all workers from secondhand smoke in Maryland.