Many of these are exposed as innocent children or spouses chronically trapped in cars and homes with addicted smokers . This type of smoke inhalation is much more dangerous than previously thought and often affects infants and young children young children who suffer serious consequences from their parents addiction. The economic costs are astounding . Ohioans smokers and non-smokers alike pay an extra four billion dollars in direct medical care and indirect costs for the habits of their smoking brethren. This is reflected in significantly higher health, life and disability insurance premiums and in skyrocketing Medicaid and Medicare costs.
History is on our side.
Tobacco is actually more deadly than alcohol. In fact, tobacco kills twenty times more people than drunk drivers. This enforceable, effective proposal will save lives, reduce the staggering costs and lessen the threat of secondhand smoke to all Ohioans and to our most vulnerable citizens our children . Most important, it will help protect future generations of Ohio children from the predatory marketing practices of an industry desperate to entrap new smokers for the sake of their profits. To truly make Ohio a safer and better place to live and work, we invite you to join the Tobacco to 21 campaign to prevent teen tobacco addiction.