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The Smoke-Free Marin Coalition applauds the progressive leadership of California Assemblyman Mark Levine in introducing Assembly Bill 746, which proposes to prohibit smoking in all multi-unit housing for any two units sharing walls — throughout the state.
Assemblyman Levine was one of the coalition's advocates on the San Rafael City Council when it unanimously adopted one of the strongest public health protection ordinances in the country.
Debi Austin spoke loudest after surgeons removed her cancerous vocal cords.
Austin was the woman with the hole in her throat who stars in perhaps the most compelling anti-tobacco ad ever made. You don't forget it once you've seen it. You probably forced your kids to watch it, though when it first aired in 1997, a squeamish television station manager placed a warning on the screen against allowing children to see it.
Imagine a committee meeting where California legislators gather to consider AB746, Congressional Representative Marc Levine’s proposal to protect people in multi-unit housing from secondhand smoke. Picture the table, the chairs, the people milling about shaking hands and making introductions.
In the mid-1990s, California became the first state to ban smoking tobacco in bars, clubs and restaurants. Now, if a bill introduced last month by one Golden State Democrat becomes law, California would likely become the first state to prohibit millions of its citizens from smoking in their own homes.
The bill, authored by Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-San Rafael), would prohibit smoking inside all multiunit residences, such as condos or apartments, where housing units share walls, floor, ceilings or ventilation systems.
Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-San Rafael) made the following statement after the Assembly passed AB 2 X1 (Pan) to establish the health insurance market reforms contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA):
"The Affordable Care Act provides essential changes in the delivery and insurance of health care in this country. It is critical that those with preexisting conditions, dependents up to 25 years of age, and those with costly needs of care are covered," said Levine. "Increased coverage and care reduces the costs for us all. The Act will allow for more timely, more affordable, and more equitable care across the health care system.
Today at the State Capitol, Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-San Rafael), in partnership with the California Healthcare Institute (CHI), presented a House resolution recognizing Feb. 28, 2013 as Rare Disease Day.
“On this 30th anniversary of the Orphan Drug Act, we recognize the need for continued incentives for biomedical innovators to bring much needed treatments to patients in need,” Levine said.
Millions of Californians would not be able to smoke tobacco inside their own homes under new legislation that would raise the bar nationwide for fighting secondhand smoke.
No state ever has ventured into personal bedrooms and living rooms with its smoking restrictions, but California is going even further than that by targeting owner-occupied residences as well as rental units.
Assembly member Marc Levine (D-San Rafael) has introduced a bill (AB 746) that would prohibit smoking and tobacco use in multi-family housing arrangements, like condominiums, duplexes and apartment units, with the goal of eliminating exposure to harmful secondhand smoke. The bill is believed to be first of its kind nationally to ban smoking in certain private homes.
Today at the State Capitol, Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-San Rafael), in partnership with the California Healthcare Institute (CHI), presented a House resolution recognizing Feb. 28, 2013 as Rare Disease Day.
“On this 30th anniversary of the Orphan Drug Act, we recognize the need for continued incentives for biomedical innovators to bring much needed treatments to patients in need,” Levine said.
Assembly Bill 767 Allows Counties to Increase Funding for Vehicle Theft Prevention Programs
Today Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-San Rafael) introduced legislation authorizing counties to increase funding for vehicle theft abatement programs. Under this bill, counties could increase their local vehicle registration surcharge from $1 to $2 per vehicle to directly fund these law enforcement programs.
“AB 767 gives local law enforcement agencies the tools they need to fight vehicle theft in their communities,” said Assemblymember Levine. “As thieves become more creative in how they carry out their crimes, law enforcement needs sufficient funding to protect those they serve.”