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California becomes first state to declare secondhand smoke a pollutant Don Thompson THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California became the first state to declare secondhand smoke a toxic air pollutant Thursday, putting tobacco fumes in the same category as diesel exhaust, arsenic and benzene because of its link to breast cancer. The unanimous decision by the state Air Resources Board relied on a September report that found a sharply increased risk of breast cancer in young women exposed to secondhand smoke. It also links drifting smoke to premature births, asthma and heart disease, as well as other cancers and numerous health problems in children. “If people are serious about breast cancer, they have to deal with secondhand smoke. That’s what this is all about,” said Dr. Stanton Glantz, director of the Center for Tobacco Control, Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco. “This is a seminal, international document,” Glantz said. “It’s impossible to underestimate what a big deal this is.” The report by scientists at California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment drew on more than 1,000 other studies of secondhand smoke and blamed the fumes for 4,000 deaths each year in California from lung cancer or heart disease alone. The most significant new finding cited by state officials is that young women exposed to secondhand smoke increase their risk of developing breast cancer between 68 percent and 120 percent. The disease kills about 40,000 women in the United States each year. CIRQUE • COnTinUED PROfTl I audience, then moving onto the stage and making wild, exaggerated gestures. The only thing with four legs on this stage was a mime, who controlled two prosthetic legs in a wholly alien vignette that whetted the audience’s palette for the rest of the show. “It was a new form of theater,” said Lesley Firestone, a second-year sociology student, “As a theater minor, I was able to appreciate (this) different kind of theater.” Certainly different and even more exhilarating was contortionist Undarmaa Gold, who thrilled the audience with her unbelievable, seemingly bone-crunching maneuvers. Her performance ended in a crescendo of whistles, yells and shouts of the gushing crowd. “That was insane,” said fifth-year biology student Lynn White, “It was painful to watch.” First-year public relations student Anne Parsons said, “I need to get myself one of those catsuits.” Overall, students received well Cirque Voila’s foreign inspired and ornamented appeal. “It was like Cirque du Soleil oti a student’s budget,” said Justin Kuhns, a fifth year visual communications student. Some international students, who might draw parallels between Voila’s atmosphere and the well traveled Canadian circus, were pleased with this rendition. Orayir Aldawsar, a Saudi Arabian student . through the English Programs for Internationals curriculum, was captivated. “It is my first event in America,” Aldawasari said, “I am here to look and see new things. When I heard about it, I ran to the Russell House and got tickets. I think it’s exciting.” Dan Sizer is a second year international business student and resident advisor in the Carolina Global Community. “Our group likes to do events together. It was something the school offered, It would be fun and that everybody in the group can appreciate it and enjoy it,” Sizer said. Third-year film studies student Chris Williams agrees the show is different. “It’s pretty interesting ... definitely a different circus.” “They seem to be taking music from many popular movies, * like ‘Roxanne’ jErom ‘Moulin Rouge’ and ‘Techno Opera’ from ‘Fifth Element,”’ Williams said. “I think it is so awesome. It exceeded my expectations. I seriously have never seen anything like it before,” said Ashton Barnhill, a second year Business student. And unlike the age-old Ringling Brothers circus that has wowed audiences for decades and did so again two blocks from the Koger Center but a week before, Cirque Voila had nary a pachyderm nor furry beast to make a show. “I thought there would be elephants, like a regular circus. But I’m a 100 percent satisfied,” said Liz Logan, a first-year undecided student. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gwm. sc. edu jVAVAV^H BHRmi You can't beat our creativity with a stick be a graphic designer. >... Organized, efficient and creative people should apply. 3 ) 20 hours a week, experience with Photoshop and Illustrator. Deadline oriented environment. * Drop by Student Media,Russell House, Rm. 343 to fill out an application. "*'•*'*** London $229 Athens $400 Paris $253 Tokyo $569 Rome $209 Bangkok $799 Amsterdam $259 Sydney $1101 Fares are loundHp tarn ATI and acaJapettodangB Taxes not indwtad. Bgtoity lestrtclons may apdy Many more dies dso aiadads Book Spring Break Online: _ Cancun, Jamaica, Vegaa & Morel I! CalarboekonSne H TRAVEL CUTS 1-800-592-CUTS (2887) See the world your way