JoeCherner-announce

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To send a letter in support of smokefree Rockville, go to
www.smokefree.net/Rockville
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Dilution of Pollution is Not the Solution
Dorsey's proposal would allow smoking after dinner

On Monday, December 8, Rockville is schedule to vote on whether it will honor
Montgomery County's smokefree workplace law.  Councilman Robert Dorsey has
introduced a bad compromise measure called the "family smoking ordinance" which
would allow smoking after dinner hours.

"Dilution of pollution is not the solution," says Joe Cherner, founder of
BREATHE-- Bar and Restaurant Employees Advocating Together for a Healthy
Environment.  "Smokefree workplace legislation is intended to protect workers
from tobacco smoke pollution, a substance known to cause cancer, respiratory
illness, heart disease, and asthma.  Allowing smoke in the workplace after hours
will still expose workers to disease."

"I am not trying to take away anyone's right to smoke," says Mike Ferens, a
bartender affected by the smoke. "You have the right to make yourself sick, but
you do not have the right to make me sick."

Heather Crowe, a waitress with lung cancer, says, "I've been a waitress for many
years to earn a decent living for my daughter and myself.  The air where I
worked was blue from the smoke.  My doctor told me I have a smoker's tumor and
I'm dying.  I never smoked a day in my life."

To send a letter in support of smokefree Rockville, go to
www.smokefree.net/Rockville

Joseph W. Cherner

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the 
world.  Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."    Margaret Mead