JoeCherner-announce

To send a letter in support of smokefree CO, go to www.smokefree.net/CO

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Colorado May Not Pass Smokefree Workplace Law
Opponents introduce exemptions to weaken law

Opponents of clean indoor air in the Colorado Senate have succeeded in getting
exemptions introduced into Colorado's proposed smokefree workplace law.

Exemptions would allow smoking in casinos, private clubs, race tracks, and bars
which don't sell a lot of food.  An official vote is expected today.

"We'll live to fight another day," said Sen. Dan Grossman, D-Denver, sponsor of
the bill. "It's far from dead. We have our work cut out to remove all the
exemptions."

"We can't have compromises. It just creates the same bureaucratic nightmare we
faced last year," said Sen. John Evans, R-Parker, co-sponsor of the measure.
"This bill is now Swiss cheese. Nobody should be left out. It should be pure if
we're serious about protecting public health."

"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,
respiratory illness, and heart disease."

To send a letter in support of smokefree CO, go to www.smokefree.net/CO

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