Legislation to protect the health of employees by eliminating smoking in all indoor public and private workplaces – including restaurants and bars – in Texas was filed Wednesday by State Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton.

House Bill 9 aims to protect employees and other individuals from secondhand smoke, which kills 53,000 non-smoking Americans yearly and is the third leading cause of preventable death, according to the National Cancer Institute.

“Secondhand smoke is a workplace safety issue,” Crownover said. “Studies have found that smoke-free policies cover just 76 percent of white-collar workers, 52 percent of blue-collar workers and 43 percent of food service workers. By eliminating smoking in all indoor public and private workplaces across our state, we will take a huge step forward toward protecting working Texans.”

Sixty-six percent of Texans would favor a statewide comprehensive law to eliminate smoking in all indoor workplaces and public facilities including public buildings, offices, restaurants and bars, according to a recent statewide poll by Baselice and Associates. If HB 9 is signed into law, Texas would join 16 other states with comprehensive smoke-free ordinances.

Indoor workplaces that would be smoke-free under HB 9 include restaurants and bars. Food service workers, many of whom are under age 18, have a 50 percent higher risk of dying from lung cancer than the general public, according to a scientific study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

A report issued in June 2006 by the U.S. Surgeon General stated that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke, and that the only way to protect everyone from its health hazards is to completely eliminate exposure. The report makes it clear that approaches such as designated non-smoking sections and ventilation technology do not eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke.

HB 9 is the latest legislation sponsored by Crownover to improve public health. In 2005, her bill to expand screening for disorders in newborns was signed into law.

“As a state lawmaker, I’m dedicated to ensuring the health of all Texans,” Crownover said. “Making our state’s indoor workplaces smoke-free is a way to take action against one of the biggest public health threats we face, that of exposure to secondhand smoke.”

Crownover has represented District 64 in the Texas House of Representatives since 2000. House District 64 includes portions of Denton County: Denton, Lake Dallas, Corinth, Shady Shores, Hickory Creek, Lakewood Village, Little Elm, Oak Point & The Colony north of 121.

During the 80th legislative session, she serves on the Appropriations Committee, as well as serving as a member of its Sub-Committee on Higher Education and also General Government. Additionally she serves as Chairman of Budget and Oversight on the Energy Resources Committee as well as a member of the Calendars Committee.