TALLAHASSEE, Fla., April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Smoke-Free for Health today announced a major goal has been met in its initiative to protect Floridians from the dangers of secondhand smoke: 650,000 voters have signed petitions urging the issue be put on th

In rallies across the state this morning, supporters and volunteers who helped collect the petitions celebrated the achievement and vowed to push on to victory on Election Day. "We could not have achieved our petition goal without the hundreds of wonderful volunteers and supporters from Key West to Pensacola and everywhere in between for their tremendous commitment to this cause," said Martin Larsen, volunteer chairman of Smoke-Free for Health. "Of course, we also wish to thank every voter who signed a petition to protect their health from secondhand smoke in the workplace. Our kids, our parents, and every Florida citizen want to thank you from the bottom of our lungs." Last month, Smoke-Free for Health cleared a major hurdle when the Florida Supreme Court unanimously approved the initiative for the fall ballot. With the Florida Department of State's official certification of the remaining petitions imminent, Smoke-Free for Health is just days away from official certification as a proposed amendment to the state Constitution. Smoke-Free for Health will save lives and protect the health of all Floridians, especially children and seniors, by prohibiting smoking in restaurants and other workplaces. Each week 5 million Floridians, including 1 million workers, are exposed to secondhand smoke. The Centers for Disease Control and the Mayo Clinic say secondhand smoke contains 200 poisons and 43 cancer-causing agents and causes heart disease, asthma and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. That's why a broad coalition, including the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Florida Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and the NAACP among others, say Smoke-Free for Health will save thousands of lives and millions of dollars in health care costs by protecting our right to breathe smoke-free air.

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