From: tac@cheztac.com
Date: Mon, 01/30/06
Mayor Williams today let the Smokefree Workplaces Bill move to
congressional review without his signature. Below is
Smokefree DC's statement, along with the letter from the Mayor's office.
While we're very pleased that the bill was not vetoed, we're
disappointed that Mayor Williams did not sign it and continued to repeat
the claim that the unproven potential loss of business in bars is more
important than the proven health effects of the people who work and
visit there.
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Mayor's Refusal to Sign Smokefree Measure Shows Lack of Leadership;
Measure Heads to Congress Without Williams' Signature
Contact: Angela Bradbery (202) 669-6517
Jan. 30, 2006
Statement from Smokefree DC
Today, Mayor Anthony Williams let the smokefree workplaces bill approved
on Jan. 4 by the District Council go forward without his signature.
While we are pleased he did not veto the measure, it is disappointing
that he didn't show leadership on this vital public and worker health
issue and sign the bill.
Secondhand smoke is carcinogenic, causing heart disease and lung cancer
in non-smokers. Eleven states, several countries and dozens of cities
and counties have recognized the health impacts of tobacco smoke and
have enacted comprehensive smokefree workplace laws that include bars
and restaurants. By refusing to sign the bill, Mayor Williams missed an
opportunity to make a strong stand for public health.
All that Williams accomplished was delaying the bill further, because it
still must undergo a congressional review before being enacted. While
the mayor has been mulling this matter over, other jurisdictions have
acted. Since the Jan. 4 Council vote of 11-1 for this bill, New Jersey,
Sedona (Ariz.) and St. Paul (Minn.) approved smokefree workplace laws
that include bars and restaurants. (Other states that have approved
comprehensive smokefree workplace legislation are California,
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, Rhode
Island, Vermont and Washington).
Three cheers to their leaders for being progressive and looking out for
worker and public health. The fact that Mayor Williams clings to the
myth that smokefree workplace legislation will lead to the demise of bar
business in the District shows that the mayor either hasn't done his
homework or is pandering to moneyed interests, not District residents,
and certainly not those who work in D.C.'s bars and restaurants.
We look forward to the end of the congressional review period and the
enactment of the portion of the bill that addresses dining areas and
takes effect immediately after the review.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: VINCE
MORRIS
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2006
202-727-5011
SHARON GANG
202-727-5011
Mayor Williams Returns Smoking Ban Legislation to Council Unsigned
(Washington, DC) Mayor Anthony A. Williams today returned unsigned to
the Council legislation that would have imposed a comprehensive smoking
ban in the District. He issued the following statement:
"This was a difficult decision for me, but basically it came down to my
view that a 100 percent smoking ban would result in substantial economic
harm to bars and restaurants, particularly our smaller neighborhood
establishments. A complete smoking ban in the District is overly
restrictive and inflexible, and I could not support it. A better plan,
contained in my compromise proposal to the council, would have banned
smoking in 98 percent of public establishments. Unfortunately, a
majority of Councilmembers were unwilling to adopt my compromise. That
said, I am now willing to move forward with the legislation given the
overwhelming support for it in the Council.
"I commend the Council for tackling this issue and for working to
protect the health of restaurant and bar employees. In fact, I
supported expanding smoke free opportunities for employees and consumers
in all District dining areas. However, I am unwilling to endorse the
legislation in its entirety because I believe it goes too far in
restricting the freedom for individuals to dine and work where they
please.
"I support stronger health protections for workers in the District.
Therefore, I was willing to support a smoking ban in most workplaces,
including banks, educational facilities, health care facilities, public
transportation facilities, retail stores, reception areas, waiting
rooms, Laundromats and the like. At the same time, I could not support
a 100 percent smoking ban that would include our restaurants and bar
establishments. These are establishments that cater to our residents
and visitors, and it is my belief that a 100 percent smoking ban will
result in economic harm for these businesses, particularly smaller
neighborhood establishments.
"While I have reservations about such a ban being enacted in the
District, I respect the Council's decision and want to work with them
over the next few months to develop a regulatory system protecting the
health of employees while mitigating the risk of harm that some dining
and bar establishments may face. It is my preference that we unite
around this goal and move forward.
"In the coming months, my Administration will work to develop
regulations to administer the comprehensive smoking ban and to create a
hardship waiver that will help address those businesses that are likely
to suffer significant harm from a smoking ban."
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