From: Joe@smokefree.org
Date: Sat, 01/28/06
To send a letter in support of smokefree MD, go to www.smokefree.net/MD
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Maryland Introduces Smokefree Workplace Legislation
Governor opposes but legislature may have enough votes
Maryland is one of nine states this year considering smokefree workplace
legislation for all workers, including restaurant and bar workers. Twelve
states-- California, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, Montana, Vermont, Washington and New Jersey-- have already enacted
similar legislation.
One-third of Maryland residents currently live in smokefree areas as three
counties -- Montgomery, Prince George's, and Talbot -- have implemented their
own smokefree workplace laws. Washington DC will be joining them shortly.
Senate sponsor Ida Ruben and House sponsor Barbara Frush explain that their
proposed smokefree workplace legislation is intended to give restaurant and bar
workers the same right to a safe, smokefree work environment that all other
Maryland workers currently enjoy.
The legislation is co-sponsored by 14 members of the Senate and 56 members of
the House.
Opponents claim the proposed legislation would hurt business, but that hasn't
been the case in any of the states which have already gone smokefree.
"Clean indoor air is a good thing, not a bad thing," says Joe Cherner, founder
of BREATHE (Bar and Restaurant Employees Advocating Together for a Healthy
Environment). "The vast majority of people, even smokers, prefer to breathe
clean indoor air."
"Other states went smokefree without knowing or caring if it was good for
business. They just wanted to protect workers from getting cancer and other
diseases. Maryland has the additional advantage of knowing that in 10+ years of
clean indoor air in other states, business has increased," adds Cherner.
Some Maryland Senators who oppose smokefree workplace legislation propose
offering tax incentives for business which voluntarily go smokefree.
Bonita Pennino, government relations director for the American Cancer Society,
says that the carrot-and-stick method does not work when it comes to health.
"We do not give restaurants and bars incentives to keep rodents out of their
kitchens [asbestos out of the air, e-coli out of the meat, pollutants of out the
water, etc.]," she said. "There's no need to give incentives for another health
issue."
Sen. Thomas M. Middleton, chair of the Senate Finance Committee where the bill
is being heard, said he's been lobbied more on this issue than on any other
issue in his career.
Other states considering smokefree workplace legislation this year include
Arizona, Ohio, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, and
Minnesota.
To send a letter in support of clean air in MD, go to www.smokefree.net/MD
To send a letter in support of clean air elsewhere, go to
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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