From: tac@cheztac.com
Date: Thu, 06/08/06
________________________________
<http://www.smokefreedc.org/>
Smokefree DC News
June 2006
Greetings!
We hope you are enjoying the first part of the new smokefree workplaces
law, under which dining areas of restaurants are required to be
smokefree, as well as most other indoor public workplaces. (Bars and
bars areas of restaurants must go smokefree on Jan. 1, 2007).
The purpose of this announcement is to let you know about some
establishments that have gone smokefree early and urge you to patronize
them. We also will update you on the status of the new smokefree
workplace law's implementation.
Smokefree Heroes
Although bars and bar areas of restaurants need not be smokefree until
Jan. 1, several establishments have decided to do the right thing for
their workers and the public and go smokefree early. Here are a few we
know about; if you know of any others, please let us know! We will add
them to our list at http://www.smokefreedc.org/restaurants.htm.
*
The Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Ave. NW
You may have seen the recent Washington Post story about the
Mayflower going smokefree
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/02/AR20060
60201644.html> . Most of the comments from those quoted in the story,
unfortunately, were from upset smokers who said they were not going to
frequent the hotel's bar anymore. Please show the Mayflower that you
support its smokefree status! Go by, have a drink and thank the
management for being smokefree. They need to hear from you!
*
Odeon Cafe, 1714 Connecticut Ave. NW
This Italian restaurant on Connecticut Avenue has a sizable bar
area that is right next to tables. If anyone lit up at the bar, everyone
in the vicinity had to suck up the smoke. Odeon Cafe has gone smokefree,
though, and now it's a great place not only to have a good Italian meal
but to enjoy a glass of wine at the bar. Please go for dinner and tell
the management you are there because it is smokefree! (The food is quite
good too!)
*
Firefly, 1310 New Hampshire Ave. NW
This is a bar and restaurant in the Hotel Madera. It used to be
quite smoky, but no more. The management has made it smokefree. If you
talk to the wait staff, they will tell you it's no big deal and may even
be surprised that you think it is. Please drop by for a drink or a
nibble and thank the managers for going smokefree early.
*
Buca di Beppo, 1825 Connecticut Ave. NW
This is a large Italian restaurant with family style meals and
many rooms. It, too, has gone smokefree.
If you know of any other bars or restaurants with bars that have gone
smokefree early and are not already on our list, please let us know!
Email us at tac@smokefreedc.org or angela@smokefreedc.org. Or call
202-669-6517.
Status of law
The smokefree workplaces law took effect on April 4 for dining areas of
restaurants, offices, factories, hotel lobbies and most other public
indoor workspaces. Still to be worked out, however, is under what rules
the mayor's office will grant hardship waivers. The Department of Health
is drafting those rules; they are now awaiting review by the mayor's
office and should be released to the public in late June or early July.
The DC Council still must approve them before they are final. When we
get a copy, we'll let you know what they say. For more information, see
our Smokefree Law Fact Sheet
<http://www.smokefreedc.org/word_files/smokefree-law-facts.doc> .
That's it for now. Thanks again for all your support. Remember that DC
Council and mayoral elections are coming up. Although the law has been
passed, it is still important that elected officials support it and take
the view that the fewer waivers are granted, the better. Smokefree DC
will be sending out a candidate questionnaire and will be compiling
results into a scorecard. We will send it out closer to the elections.
To a Smokefree DC!
Angela Bradbery
Co-founder, Smokefree DC <http://www.smokefreedc.org/>
Smokefree DC (www.smokefreedc.org) <http://www.smokefreedc.org/> is a
non-profit, 501c(4) membership organization made up of Washington, DC
residents and employees who believe everyone deserves to breathe clean,
smokefree air. We support 100% smokefree environments for all
workplaces, including offices, restaurants and bars, because no worker
should be forced to breathe smoke on the job.
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