You may verify these findings by following the listed URLs to the legislative Website entries. Go to the New Mexico Legislature Bill Finder Enter 351 and then select Senate. Select Fiscal Impact Report. The bill establishes a definition for smoking and preempts other state agencies, municipalities and counties from imposing more stringent regulations regarding smoking. The issues associated with smoking and the inhalation of secondhand smoke are the subject of an on-going national debate.
Data clearly demonstrates the association between illness and the inhalation of secondhand smoke.
The scientific data supporting the link between illness and the exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke are today overwhelming. The CCAA opposes passage of SB351 on the grounds that this legislation does not effectively further state or Albuquerque Clean Air Ordinances passed in 1986 or 1989. Yet the FIR conducted by the Legislative Finance Committee clearly enlists the official position of the New Mexico legislature regarding second-hand tobacco smoke. With both the official legislative position as well as a strong majority of New Mexicans expressing a consensus on this matter, it is time for pubic and private entities to take the necessary steps to insure that adequate protections from this significant health hazard are enforced.