Coalition Releases Video to Highlight Support for Smoke-Free Workplace Law

AUSTIN, Texas, May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Texas Legislature approaches the final days of the 82nd Regular Session, the Smoke-Free Texas Coalition released a new video today entitled "SMOKE-FREE TEXAS: Saves money. Saves lives." that highlights the benefits of a smoke-free law for Texans and the strong support for this legislation among numerous organizations, business groups, musicians, faith leaders and everyday Texans across the political spectrum.  

The video features statewide poll results that show 70 percent of Texas voters surveyed favor a proposed statewide law that would eliminate smoking in indoor workplaces, including 67 percent of Republicans, 69 percent of Independents, 74 percent of Democrats and more than half of voters with Tea Party views.  The 2011 poll conducted by Baselice & Associates also found that 63 percent are more likely to vote for a state legislator who supports the smoke-free law and 76 percent believe the right of employees and customers to breathe clean air in restaurants and bars is more important than the right of smokers to smoke and businesses owners to allow smoking.

"There is clearly strong support from Texans for a smoke-free workplace law," said Claudia Rodas, co-chair of the Smoke-Free Texas Coalition.  "Our goal in creating this video was to educate Texans and lawmakers on the numerous health and economic benefits of a smoke-free workplace law and the widespread support this legislation enjoys across our state."

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. Visit us on Facebook and Twitter at www.Facebook.com/SmokeFreeTexas and www.Twitter.com/SmokeFreeTexas.

SOURCE Smoke-Free Texas