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Environmental Protection Agency Asking All Parents to Take the Smoke-Free Home Pledge Initiative
Newstream ^ | November 2, 2001 | Kristy Miller, EPA

Posted on 11/02/2001 9:58:26 AM PST by Max McGarrity

National Campaign Designed to Protect Children from Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke

November 2001 (Newstream) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a national Smoke-Free Home Pledge Initiative that asks parents to make their homes smoke-free to protect their children from the serious health effects of secondhand tobacco smoke. In order to maintain a smoke-free home, parents must ensure that friends, relatives, and babysitters also do not smoke inside the family home, according to EPA.

EPA Administrator Gov. Christie Todd Whitman launched the new campaign at the Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, on October 16. EPA's Smoke-Free Home Pledge Initiative focuses on encouraging parents to "go out for their kids", until they can quit smoking. Governor Whitman urged parents to call EPA's toll-free hotline to make the Smoke-Free Home Pledge.

Nine to 12 million children are exposed to secondhand smoke at home every day in the United States. According to EPA and several other national studies, health effects include bronchitis and pneumonia, wheezing and coughing spells, ear infections, low birth weight, SIDS, and asthma. In fact, secondhand smoke causes approximately one million children a year to suffer from more frequent and severe asthma attacks. Asthma is the leading chronic illness in children and accounts for ten million missed school days each year.

Parents can make the commitment by calling the Smoke-Free Home Pledge Hotline at 800-513-1157. In return, EPA will send a Smoke-Free Home Kit that includes a pledge certificate and educational materials.

EPA is conducting this campaign with a range of national partner organizations. For example, community, health, and local government groups have started distributing 200,000 pledge brochures across the country. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology is strongly encouraging its 6,000 member physicians to educate their patients on the health effects of secondhand smoke. The National Association of Counties is launching a County to County Pledge Challenge, an effort that will culminate in national recognition for those that produce the most pledges.  


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
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1 posted on 11/02/2001 9:58:26 AM PST by Max McGarrity (madmax@revolutionist.com)
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To: *puff_list
We will be feeling the effects of Bill Clinton's cynical appeal to the emotions of the American public for generations. It's "for the children," my tuchus!
2 posted on 11/02/2001 10:00:56 AM PST by Max McGarrity
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To: Max McGarrity
Better they take the Freedom Pledge... Watch closely, Johnny. This is how you flip the bird to petty tyrants.
3 posted on 11/02/2001 10:08:57 AM PST by Lexington Green
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To: Max McGarrity
Dear Ms. Whitman,

I go outside to smoke, because I already don't want my daughter to inhale the smoke. It also stinks up the carpet and furniture. So, I brave lightning, wind, rain, and snow to get my smokes, and I don't need some pompous pro-abort bureaucrat taking money out of my paycheck to tell me how to treat my child.

Screw you.

4 posted on 11/02/2001 10:12:13 AM PST by toenail
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To: Max McGarrity
I'm sure your kids will thank you for exercising your freedom through their hacking coughs.
5 posted on 11/02/2001 10:12:32 AM PST by Vladiator
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To: Max McGarrity
Tell your kids, that while second hand smoke MIGHT be bad for you, first hand government ALWAYS is.
6 posted on 11/02/2001 10:13:59 AM PST by Random Access
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To: Max McGarrity
Good Lord!

This has NOTHING to do with the EPA's mandate. NOTHING!

7 posted on 11/02/2001 10:18:53 AM PST by steve in DC
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To: Max McGarrity
Tell the EPA to go suck an egg, preferably one infected with salmonella.
8 posted on 11/02/2001 10:22:47 AM PST by lakey
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To: Max McGarrity
"...encouraging parents to "go out for their kids", until they can quit smoking." Who said they want to quit? The steamroller of a govt. moves on.
9 posted on 11/02/2001 10:23:07 AM PST by monkeywrench
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To: Max McGarrity
Somehow the new administration just can't seem to kick the "political correctness" habit.

I am saving a really smelly cigar for when Whitman comes to our area. ;-)
10 posted on 11/02/2001 10:23:26 AM PST by cgbg
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To: Max McGarrity
EPA can kiss my butt.
11 posted on 11/02/2001 10:23:31 AM PST by 1stMarylandRegiment
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To: toenail
Re #4: I love it!
12 posted on 11/02/2001 10:25:27 AM PST by proud American in Canada
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To: 1stMarylandRegiment
I kind of wish those guys and gals in the epa would quit smokin that crack stuff. Only thing that explains their wierd behavior.

epa, batf, fbi, what a bunch of coke heads.

Man what I wouldn't give for a government that read the Consitution and abided by it.

13 posted on 11/02/2001 10:26:30 AM PST by Alas
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To: Max McGarrity
What interests me is when Child Protective Services start removing children from parents who smoke. This is the preparatory emotionalism act. Once everyone knows only bad parents smoke in front of kids, it will be much easier to take the kids from these lowlifes.
14 posted on 11/02/2001 10:28:46 AM PST by Alas Babylon!
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To: cgbg
Wasn't the new administration supposed to be the cure, not a continuation of the problem?
15 posted on 11/02/2001 10:29:07 AM PST by Eagle Eye
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To: Eagle Eye
"Wasn't the new administration supposed to be the cure, not a continuation of the problem?"

Yeah, right.

16 posted on 11/02/2001 10:35:50 AM PST by toenail
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To: Eagle Eye
I sure don't know why President Bush appointed her! She's a Clinton Lap Dog! Now look at what's she's doing. She still must not be busy enough with NYC! She has her teeth into smokers, and like a rabid dog, won't cut it loose.
17 posted on 11/02/2001 10:36:45 AM PST by SheLion
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To: Max McGarrity
I don't even like the fact that we have an EPA, let alone that Bush appointed this fuzzy headed witch to head it.
18 posted on 11/02/2001 10:38:25 AM PST by goodieD
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To: goodieD
She must be getting that honey pot lobby money so she won't let the smokers alone! Has to be SOME big bucks in it for her. It always is!
19 posted on 11/02/2001 10:40:17 AM PST by SheLion
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To: Vladiator
I'm sure your kids will be thrilled to know that you allowed their freedoms to be hacked away at, til there was nothing left. I'm sure your kids will be thrilled to know that you allowed the government to tell you how to be a parent.
20 posted on 11/02/2001 10:42:06 AM PST by goodieD
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