JoeCherner-announce

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To win smokefree workplace legislation, go to www.smokefree.net/alerts.php
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Five More States To Introduce Smokefree Workplace Legislation
Rhode Island, Maryland, Georgia, Arizona, and Washington to introduce
legislation

Smokefree workplace legislation is happening for a good reason.  Tobacco smoke
pollution causes cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease, and asthma attacks.
 No one should have to breathe it to hold a job.

Six entire states-- CA, DE, NY, CT, ME, and MA-- and hundreds of cities have
passed smokefree workplace legislation, including smokefree restaurants and
bars.  Three additional states-- FL, VT, and UT-- have pass partial smokefree
workplace laws, including smokefree restaurants but exempting bars.

Five more states-- RI, MD, GA, AZ, and WA-- have announced plans to introduce
smokefree workplace legislation, including smokefree restaurants and bars, in
the new year.

According to a spokesperson for Rhode Island House Speaker William J. Murphy,
"There will be legislation in the early part of next session."

Two Maryland legislators, Senator Ida Ruben and Delegate Barbara Frush, held a
news conference this week to say they will be introducing smokefree workplace
legislation in January.

A senior senator from Georgia confirmed today that his state will introduce
smokefree workplace legislation soon, and it will be sponsored by Senator Don
Thomas who is chair of the Health and Human Services Committee.

In Arizona, Representative Linda Lopez unveiled a draft of her smokefree
workplace bill on Tuesday.  The final bill will be introduced in January with
bi-partisan support.

In Washington state, a coalition of health groups and legislators announced on
Monday plans to push for smokefree workplace legislation.  "The vast majority of
residents want this protection," said state Rep. Joe McDermott, sponsor of the
House bill.  Senator Rosemary McAuliffe said her daughter had to quit her job as
a bartender after developing a hacking, persistent cough attributed to smoke in
her workplace.

Patty Young, a flight attendant who fought for years to win smokefree workplace
legislation on airplanes, summed it up best, "Forcing smoke down workers' lungs
is pulmonary rape.  It invades our bodies against our will, and it's not fair."

To win passage of smokefree workplace legislation, go to
http://www.smokefree.net/alerts.php

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