JoeCherner-announce

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To send a letter in support of smokefree Rhode Island, go to
www.smokefree.net/RI
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Rhode Island Considers Smokefree Workplace Law
Would join California, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Maine, and Massachusetts

Last year, the Rhode Island state Senate passed smokefree workplace legislation,
but House Speaker Bill Murphy put a temporary hold on action in the House. 
Now, it appears that Murphy has researched the issue and will lead such
legislation in 2004.  "The House is committed this year to passing a smoking
ban," he said recently.  

It is still unclear how it will be worded -- whether it will, for example, cover
restaurants, bars, and casinos.  But House leaders are hopeful that even the
hospitality industry will sign on to a 2004 bill, as they did in other states.

"ALL workers (including office, restaurant, bar, bingo, bowling, casino, tavern,
pub, and nightclub workers) deserve a safe, healthy, smokefree work
environment," says Joe Cherner, founder of BREATHE-- Bar and Restaurant
Employees Advocating Together for a Healthy Environment.  "Laws should treat the
health of all workers equally.  Bar and restaurant workers should have the same
right to a smokefree work environment as everyone else.   No worker should have
to breathe tobacco smoke pollution to hold a job, because it causes cancer,
heart disease, and respiratory disease."

To send a letter in support of smokefree Rhode Island, go to
www.smokefree.net/RI 
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