Governor Leaves Ailing Californians Gasping for Air with Veto of Smoke-Free Hospital Campuses

BREATHE LA STATEMENT

Los Angeles.  Breathe California of Los Angeles County (BREATHE LA) has been "protecting the 'Breath of Life' since 1903" and the passage of Assemblymember Jerry Hill's AB 574 was the top priority of the nonprofit, public benefit organization's legislative portfolio for the recent session.  The bill would have made hospital campuses smoke-free, protected patients with asthma, and encouraged patients and staff to quit.  The Governor wrote that AB 574 would be "unnecessary," yet smoking continues to be the number one cause of preventable death in California.

"While I have commended Governor Schwarzenegger for his courage in other areas, I join others in condemning the veto of Assembly Hill's AB 574," said BREATHE LA President & CEO, Enrique Chiock.  "This legislation would have moved California forward in the fight against tobacco and nicotine addiction and was completely necessary.  Research has shown that smoke-free hospitals have significant and measurable effects on encouraging people to quit smoking."

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