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WI Cancer Action Network- �iCan er S Souety . r � April 19, 2017 Chair Ann Welsh Pleasanton Housing Commission 200 Old Bernal Road Pleasanton, CA 94566 Dear Chair Welsh and Members of the Pleasanton Housing Commission: The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network(ACS CAN) is committed to protecting the health and well-being of the citizens of Pleasanton, and as such, supports the creation and passage of 100%smoke-free protections for all who live in multi-unit housing(MUH). The negative health effects of secondhand smoke are well documented;secondhand smoke contains at least 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic. The U.S. Surgeon General has declared that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse health effects in adults and children. Smoke-free laws reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and reduce the incidence of cancer, heart disease, and other conditions caused by exposure to smoke, as well as prevent the worsening of symptoms among people who already suffer from those conditions. Prohibition of smoking in MUH improves the quality of life and helps to protect the health of nonsmoking residents, by preventing the unintentional exposure that many receive as a result of smoking neighbors. Living in MUH requires different standards of behavior due to shared walls and common spaces. More than 80%of Californians completely prohibit smoking in their homes, and yet, in MUH, one smoking resident can expose the neighbors in all surrounding units. In spite of their efforts, nearly half of MUH residents report being involuntarily exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes. Californians are making wiser choices for themselves and their families, and they should not have to endure being exposed to the smoke of others. The only way to truly protect residents is to eliminate indoor smoking. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network urges this commission to protect all residents of MUH within the City of Pleasanton. We ask that you recommend passage of an American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network 700 Main Street,Suite 102•Fairfield CA 94533•707.290.0003