By Heather Schmelzlen

Collegian Staff Writer

HARRISBURG -- Joe Schwork referred to Pennsylvania as the "ashtray of the Northeast" yesterday as he left the state capital.

Schwork (junior-information sciences and technology) and 13 other Penn State students joined more than 100 other college students from across the state to rally for Clean Indoor Air legislation in Harrisburg yesterday.

The Clean Indoor Air legislation would ban smoking in public indoor workplaces, Schwork said.

Penn State students from three groups -- Project SmokeLess, Relay for Life and Rescue Lion -- attended the event, sponsored by the American Cancer Society's Colleges Against Cancer.

The purpose of the event was to "tell legislators all Pennsylvanians deserve the right to breathe clean indoor air," said Joe Joyce, a senior at Ursinus College, in Collegeville.

According to a media alert from the American Cancer Society, a special conference committee is currently considering the legislation.

Schwork, co-leader of Project SmokeLess, met with Sen. Jake Corman's aide. Schwork said Corman, R-Centre, is supportive of a comprehensive Clean Indoor Air bill but voted for a bill with exemptions in the Senate.

"His aide told us the reason why he voted for the bill was because he was in the mindset that something was better than nothing," Schwork said.

Corman's aide would not say whether Corman would vote for or against a compromised bill from House and Senate representatives until he sees the final language of the bill, Schwork said.

"[Corman's aide] claims too many exemptions would be a 'no,' but they have to read it and digest it before they make a decision, so once the bill comes out, we're probably going to follow up with Corman to see where he stands on it," Schwork said.

A "Fight Back" rally was also held on the steps of the Capitol rotunda.

During the rally, Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-Montgomery and Bucks, and Rep. Michael Gerber, D-Montgomery, spoke in support of Clean Indoor Air legislation.

"We have won the scientific battle. The verdict is in. Second-hand smoke will kill you," Greenleaf said. "Now we've got to convince legislators that that's the situation."

Both Greenleaf and Gerber favor a comprehensive bill without exemptions.

"It has become crystal clear that the only people asking for exemptions are the people asking to put their profits before public health," Gerber said.

Jenna Paradiso, a junior at Lehigh Valley College, also spoke at the rally. Paradiso is from New Jersey, a state that passed the Smoke-Free Air Act., which made all indoor public places and workplaces across the state smoke-free, according to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Web site.

"I should not have to sell my health for 75 cents when I pass the toll booth [coming into Pennsylvania]," Paradiso said.

Schwork said research has shown when a smoker spends four hours in a smoky environment, he or she consumes the equivalent of eight cigarettes.

Amy Keiper, who spoke at the rally, said Clean Indoor Air legislation is important to her because she is exposed to second-hand smoke at her workplace.

"No one should have to choose between their job and their health," said Keiper (senior-human development and family studies), a student at Penn State Worthington Scranton.

Tom Rowader (sophomore-elementary education) said he thought the day was "long and slow" but successful.

"Just our presence there makes a difference in the mind of legislators," he said.

 

Supporters surround Michael Gerber, D-Montgomery, as he speaks in support of Clean Indoor Air legislation at a rally held at the state Capitol Building yesterday.