75 Percent of Virginia Voters Support Smoke-Free ...( - Voters affirm the right to brea...),Health

- Voters affirm the right to breathe clean air inside all workplaces, including bars and restaurants -

RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A poll released today finds that voters from across Virginia overwhelmingly support legislation making all workplaces smoke-free.

By a three-to-one margin (75 percent to 24 percent), Virginia voters favor a statewide law prohibiting smoking inside all public buildings and workplaces, including offices, restaurants and bars. This support comes from a broad-based coalition of voters, including large majorities of men and women, young and old, and voters in all areas of the state. Support for a smoke-free Virginia also cuts across party lines, including support from 83 percent of Democrats and 71 percent of Republicans.

"Clearly, there is very strong support for a smoke-free law among Virginia voters," said Keenan Caldwell, state director of government relations for the American Cancer Society. "A strong majority of voters believe all workers and the public should be protected from secondhand smoke and that restaurants and bars would be healthier and more enjoyable if they were smoke-free."

The survey of 500 Virginia voters was released today by Virginians for a Healthy Future, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association of Virginia, and the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. Upon releasing the results, the health groups called on the General Assembly to pass legislation that would make Virginia's public places and workplaces smoke-free.

"Voters recognize that exposure to secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard, and this poll demonstrates that they want a strong law protecting their right and the right of all workers to breathe clean air," said Cathleen Smith Grzesiek, director of government relations for the American Heart Association and chair of Virginians for a Healthy Future. "It's time for Virginia's legislators to
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