Smoke Free Texas

June 3, 2011

The following statement can be attributed to Melinda Little, co-chair for Smoke-Free Texas:

“We are thrilled to have another opportunity to pass a statewide smoke-free law to eliminate smoking inside restaurants and bars, proposed in House Bill 46. The bill filed by Rep. Myra Crownover will be heard June 4 in a special session hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations. This legislation would save thousands of lives and millions of dollars for Texas taxpayers, including $31 million in Medicaid savings and millions more in health care costs, worker productivity, maintenance and other direct and indirect costs of secondhand smoke.

“We are grateful to Rep. Crownover for her tireless dedication to passing this important legislation that would ensure protection for Texans from the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure in restaurants and bars across the state.  Our coalition, along with thousands of Texans including numerous organizations, business groups, musicians, faith leaders, and everyday Texans from across the political spectrum, will fight relentlessly for this legislation until it is passed. We will continue to support Rep. Crownover and other supportive lawmakers in their effort to ensure all Texas lawmakers understand the numerous health and economic benefits that this legislation will provide for Texans.

“HB 46 provides an essential opportunity in the special session to pass a smoke-free law that a majority of Texans clearly support. This is our last chance in 2011 to pass this common sense legislation that will protect thousands of lives and save millions of dollars for Texans: It is time for our state’s lawmakers to make it happen.”

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