From: Joe@smokefree.org
Date: Sat, 01/21/06
To send a letter in support of smokefree Utah, go to www.smokefree.net/UT
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Utah On Track to Become Nation's 12th Smokefree Workplace State
Senate votes in favor of clean indoor air
Parts excerpted from the Salt Lake Tribune, 1/21/06
On Friday, the Utah Senate approved a bill that would clear the air in all Utah
workplaces.
The bill is sponsored by Senator Mike Waddoups, who says it addresses the
workplace health issue of secondhand smoke. Waddoups says the law will protect
waitresses, bartenders, and musicians who currently must work in a smoke-filled
environment to hold a job.
"Secondhand smoke is a health hazard. There are things we can do to protect
citizens' lives and health." This is one of those things, said the Taylorsville
Republican.
Propelled by Friday's 17-12 Senate approval, the bill now goes to the House,
where its future is uncertain. But House Speaker Greg Curtis, who voted against
the bill last year, said he likely will back Waddoups' smokefree workplace bill
this time. He says he is persuaded by the concern for the health of employees
and musicians.
"I'm probably headed toward supporting the bill," Curtis said.
Still, many House members are troubled by what they see as an invasion of
personal freedom, including Majority Leader Jeff Alexander. "If a person
chooses to go to a private club and chooses to smoke, that's their choice,"
Alexander said. "Likewise for those who choose to work in a private club."
Many years ago, Utah was one of the nation's first states to require offices and
restaurants to be smokefree, but it exempted bars and clubs.
"It's great that Utah is finally realizing that bar and club workers also have
hearts and lungs which deserve protection from disease," says Joe Cherner,
founder of BREATHE (Bar and Restaurant Employees Advocating Together for a
Healthy Environment). "Either all workers deserve protection or none do. It's
not right to place the health of some workers above the health of others."
If passed, Utah would join California, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Montana, Vermont, Washington and New Jersey with
comprehensive smokefree workplace legislation.
To win smokefree air where YOU live, 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
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