From: Joe@smokefree.org
Date: Fri, 02/24/06
To send a letter to the Maryland legislature, go to www.smokefree.net/MD
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Maryland Votes Down Smokefree Workplace Law
Maryland, 2/24/06-- While other states are passing laws to protect workers from
cancer-causing smoke in the workplace, the Maryland House Health and Government
Operations Committee voted against it. For all intents and purposes, smokefree
workplace legislation is dead in Maryland for the 4th consecutive year.
The proposal would have strengthened Maryland's existing smokefree office law to
include restaurants and bars.
"It's unfair for Maryland to protect the health of office workers from tobacco
smoke in the workplace, while forcing hospitality workers to breathe it," says
Joe Cherner, founder of BREATHE (Bar and Restaurant Employees Advocating
Together for a Healthy Environment). "Either tobacco smoke causes cancer or it
doesn't. If it does, which the entire world agrees, then all workers deserve to
be protected equally."
Eleven states-- California, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Montana, Vermont, Washington and New Jersey-- and
the District of Columbia have passed comprehensive smokefree workplace
legislation for workers, including restaurant and bar workers. Montgomery and
Prince Georges counties have also taken local action, refusing to wait for the
state.
To send a letter to the Maryland legislature, go to www.smokefree.net/MD
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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