Health Chair's Stance on Pet-Free Flights Very Disappointing: Lung Association

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Jul 30 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Canadian Lung Association today expressed disappointment in federal
Health Committee Chair Joy Smith's stance on the issue of Air Canada and
WestJet's policy to allow pets to travel in the passenger cabin of
airplanes. The Lung Association launched an online campaign for pet-free
flights in July following the decision by Air Canada to join WestJet in
offering pet-free flights, despite the serious risks it presents to
passengers and crew with asthma, COPD and severe animal allergies.

In response to the thousands of letters sent to her office, Ms. Smith
stated in a letter to Canadians contacting her that she "... shares the
concerns for the effects of Air Canada's decision on the health of those
travellers with allergies", but avoids committing to holding public
hearings on the issue citing that Air Canada's decision is
"...operational... made by a private company at arm's-length from the
Government."

"As Chair of the Health Committee, Joy Smith has a mandate to act in the
best interests of Canadians with lung disease who may be adversely
affected by Air Canada -- and WestJet's - decision to allow pets to
travel in the passenger cabins of airplanes," said Cameron Bishop,
Director of Government Relations for The Lung Association, "Simply
because a company makes an "operational" decision does not negate her or
her Committee's responsibility to review that in a public health context".

The Lung Association took the opportunity to commend the leadership of
Committee Vice-Chairs Judy Wasylycia-Leis (NDP-MB) and Joyce Murray
(Lib-BC) for agreeing to bring the issue forward to the Health Committee
in the fall.

"We urge Joy Smith to listen to the thousands of Canadians who have
contacted her on this issue and to reconsider her stance", said Mr.
Bishop, "People with asthma, COPD, lung cancer or other respiratory
diseases should not be put at risk because of an airline's desire to put
corporate needs in business class while public health is forced to ride
in economy".

The Lung Association is extremely concerned about the health of airline
passengers and crew who may suffer from severe allergies to pets (dander,
fur, saliva, urine) or whose asthma
(http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/asthma-asthme_e.php) or Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD)(http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/copd-mpoc_e.php) could be
triggered by exposure to animal secretions or dander.

Air inside airplane cabins re-circulates - it gets recycled through the
vents. Because airplane cabins are small spaces, it means that even a
small amount of allergen, like the hair, saliva or dander of a pet, can
spread quickly throughout the airplane cabin. The allergen in the air can
reach every passenger on the plane, even people sitting far away from the
pet. For people with allergies who have asthma
(http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/asthma-asthme_e.php) or COPD
(http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/copd-mpoc_e.php), pet allergens can
trigger wheezing, coughing, and swelling in the airways - otherwise known
as an asthma flare-up (asthma attack
(http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/asthma-asthme_e.php)) or a COPD
(http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/copd-mpoc_e.php) flare-up. These
reactions can be serious and even life-threatening.

The Association continues to encourage all Canadians to visit
www.lung.ca/petsonplanes to send a message directly to federal Health
Committee Chair Joy Smith (C-MB), calling for hearings to consider the
public health implications of allowing pets to travel in the passenger
cabins of airplanes. The campaign was launched in July following a poll
released by The Lung Association that found 80% of Canadians wanted
Canada's airlines to offer pet-free flights
(http://www.lung.ca/media-medias/news-nouvelles_e.php?id=152).

About The Lung Association

Established in 1900, The Lung Association
(http://www.lung.ca/home-accueil_e.php ) is one of Canada's oldest and
most respected health charities, and the leading national organization
for science-based information, research, education, support programs and
advocacy on lung heath issues.

Contacts:
The Lung Association
Cameron Bishop
Director of Government Affairs and Media Relations
613-569-6411, ext, 223

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