[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 45 (Wednesday, April 16, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E682]]



                     HELP TRAVELERS BREATHE EASIER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 16, 1997

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Smoke-
Free Transportation Facilities Act, legislation that would ban smoking 
in all transportation facilities that receive Federal funds.
  The Smoke-Free Transportation Facilities Act would provide a breath 
of clean air for travelers. It will provide some relief to the traveler 
who cannot simply get up and leave when others expose them to tobacco 
smoke and the risk of premature death.
  Smoking and second-hand smoke are class A carcinogens. Cigarettes 
kill more than 434,000 Americans each year. Tobacco addiction costs the 
American public more than $65 billion each year in health care costs 
and lost productivity. Tobacco is a known killer, yet there are no 
Federal laws or regulations governing smoking in public areas. For this 
reason, millions of people are exposed to the dangers of second-hand 
smoke each day. The exposure to second-hand smoke is particularly 
prevalent in transportation stations, as travelers have little choice 
other than to remain in the airport, train station, or bus terminal as 
they await their departure.
  The Federal Government has a responsibility to protect travelers from 
the dangers of second-hand smoke. I believe we all have the right to 
breath clean air. The Smoke-Free Transportation Facilities Act will 
help ensure that people who have to travel, or even choose to travel, 
can breathe a little easier.

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