SACRAMENTO, CA | September 30, 2024
The American Lung Association expresses profound disappointment in the legislature passing and Governor Gavin Newsom's decision to sign Assembly Bill 1775 into law, allowing food service in cannabis consumption lounges. This law undermines decades of progress in protecting Californians from the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure.
"By the legislature passing and Governor Newsom signing AB 1775, California has taken a significant step backward in safeguarding public health," said Kesa Bruce, Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association in California. "Rolling back California’s smokefree law will expose more workers and patrons to the harmful effects of secondhand cannabis smoke, which contains many of the same toxic chemicals found in tobacco smoke, often in higher concentrations."
Key concerns with AB 1775 include:
1. Increased exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke for workers and patrons
2. Potential health risks, including respiratory issues and cardiovascular effects from exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke
3. Erosion of California's strong smokefree workplace protections
4. End of California’s status as a leader on reducing exposure to secondhand smoke
Research has shown that secondhand cannabis smoke contains the same particulate matter in secondhand tobacco smoke that is associated with lung and heart disease. 1
“The American Lung Association urges local jurisdictions to carefully consider the public health implications when implementing this law. We will continue to advocate for 100% smokefree environments and educate the public about the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure, whether from tobacco or cannabis.
For more information about the health risks of secondhand cannabis smoke, please visit Lung.org.
[1] Wang, X., et al., “Brief exposure to marijuana secondhand smoke impairs vascular endothelial function” (conference abstract). Circulation 2014; 130: A19538. http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/130/Suppl_2/A19538.abstract
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The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events.
For more information, contact:
Katie Geraghty
310-359-6386
[email protected]
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