Two new smoke-free dining areas in the U.S. House of Representatives

The following is a statement by Cheryl G. Healton, DrPH, President and CEO of the American Legacy Foundation:

The American Legacy Foundation(R) applauds Speaker Nancy Pelosi and all those in the U.S. House of Representatives who have worked tirelessly to protect Capitol Hill staff and visitors from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

On Thursday, the House's last two indoor smoking rooms are being cleaned and converted to smoke-free dining areas. It is no secret that secondhand smoke is dangerous - it causes 50,000 deaths per year in the U.S. Our halls of government should be playing a leadership role in ensuring clean indoor air for their staff and the visiting public and setting a positive example for other work places and public spaces nationwide.

This effort comes at a time of considerable advancement in the movement against tobacco. Earlier this year, Congress passed two landmark decisions that will improve the lives of Americans, helping to protect us all from tobacco-related diseases. The State Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act increasing the Federal excise tax on tobacco and the Family Smoking Prevention and Control Act securing authority for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco are both advancing positive change in respect to the fight against tobacco.

The closing of the smoking rooms in the Longworth and Cannon House office buildings is one more indication that we're moving in the right direction and toward a smoke-free America.