New York Mayoral Candidates Ognibene and Weiner Do Big Tobacco's Dirty Work by Opposing Smoke-Free Law Washington, DC - New York Mayoral Candidates Tom Ognibene and Anthony Weiner are taking the side of the tobacco industry by opposing the city's wildly popular smoke-free law. Both candidates have stated publicly that if elected they would work to overturn or change the smoke-free law that has made New York City a significantly healthier place to live. An overwhelming 75 percent of New Yorkers support the smoke-free law. "We are deeply disappointed to learn that Tom Ognibene and Anthony Weiner have sided against public health and with the tobacco industry by opposing the smoke-free law. We urge them to change their position," said William V. Corr, Executive Director of the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund. "We know that the law is working to protect the public from toxic secondhand smoke while reducing smoking, without harming business. Why on earth would anyone other than the tobacco industry want to change that?" Also today, the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund released its analysis of public New York City campaign finance records as of May 16, 2005 (the most recent filing available), which revealed that the mayoral candidates have accepted $61,975 in campaign contributions from tobacco sources. A thorough analysis of tobacco contributions to Tom Ognibene was inconclusive because the disclosure database did not list occupations or employers for nearly half of the candidate's donors. According to the analysis, candidates have accepted the following campaign contribution amounts from tobacco interests:
New York City is a significantly healthier place to live since the passage of the smoke-free workplace law and the 2002 cigarette tax increase. These measures have led to reductions in smoking rates and have saved lives and money by reducing health care costs from smoking-caused disease. New York City has become a leader in reducing tobacco use among both children and adults. All campaign contributions cited in this analysis are obtained from the New York City Campaign Finance Board's disclosure database. The Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund reviewed disclosure statements for each of the major mayoral candidates in the 2005 election. For the purpose of this analysis, the total contributions from tobacco interests include the following: contributions from tobacco company employees, contributions from employees of a company or organization with a major interest in tobacco (tobacco distribution, parent company, etc.), contributions from spouses of a tobacco company employee or employee of an organization with a major interest in tobacco, and contributions where the listed "intermediary" is an employee of a tobacco company or organization with a major interest in tobacco. The Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund does not support, oppose, or endorse any candidate for New York City mayor. For a list of the campaign contributions please contact Jennifer Friedman at 202-296-5469. |