California Sets Trends in Health Regulation

Name: Cassie Current Even Posting Number: 1

Topic: Health
Author: Katherine Harmon
Publication Name: CNN
Date of Publication: February 10, 2012
Length of article: 3 pages

With a total of 151,002 health and safety laws, California is now a trendsetting state towards healthier living. Although people have viewed these laws with skepticism, a lot of them are now standard practice in other states, for instance the banning of smoking in workplaces, bars, and restaurants. While some critics see these laws as never-ending, and just another way for the government to tell us how to live our lives, there's another perception that sees the laws as a gateway to more health-oriented and health-minded people. Because of these laws, Californians tend to have healthier habits, ranking 10th in physical activity, 4th in healthy blood pressure and 5th for a high fruit and vegetables diet, according to America's Health Rankings. It's discovered that the state's willingness to innovate their health laws is because of California's culture, including their beautiful environment. A big influence towards the health laws are the citizens themselves. Since California started allowing ballot initiatives in 1911, voters have been promoting health laws ever since. For instance, in 1986, voters passed a ballot initiative requiring information on chemical contents known to cause cancer, birth defects of reproductive harm in products . Voters also made California the first state to tax cigarettes and ban smoking in public places, regulations found in half of our country's states now. While California currently ranks at the 24th healthiest state, it also houses more than 10% of the U.S., consisting of a huge, diverse population.
A Californian myself, I find it incredible at how our state has impacted health and safety throughout the country. Although we do not rank as one of the healthiest states, we still continue to fight against our state's problems such as pollution, to create a better environment for future generations to come.