BALTIMORE, MD (November 12, 2015)–Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement commending U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s proposed rule to make the nation’s public housing properties entirely smoke-free.

“As an E.R doctor I have seen far too many patients suffer and ultimately die from the effects tobacco use. As the city’s doctor, I know that tobacco causes diseases that kill far too many across our city: heart disease, lung disease, and cancer. But it doesn’t just affect adults who smoke. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma and breathing problems in children. The air that we breathe is absolutely critical to our health. We need to eliminate all smoking in indoor spaces. That’s why we at the Baltimore City Health Department applaud HUD’s decision to eliminate smoking in public housing. This will protect all Baltimoreans and ensure that all of our children grow up in healthy, smoke-free homes.”