Fwd: [JoeCherner-announce]Washington State to Vote on Smokefree Workplace Ini...

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In a message dated 10/22/2005 11:13:45 PM Eastern Standard Time,

Joe writes:

 

Feel free to share this email with residents of Washington State.

 

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Washington State to Vote on Smokefree Workplace Initiative

If passed, Washington would become nation's 10th smokefree workplace state

 

Parts excerpted from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Bellingham Herald,

10/22/05

 

WASHINGTON STATE-- Just weeks before voters go to the polls, surveys show

huge support and little opposition for Initiative 901 to make all workplaces

smokefree.

Initiative backers such as Dr. Christopher Covert-Bowlds, the Bellingham

physician who spearheaded the petition that put the initiative on the November

ballot, say the initiative will protect the health of workers in restaurants,

bars and other businesses now exempt from state laws against smoking in

indoor public places.

 

" Customers have the option of avoiding smoky businesses, but an estimated

225,000 people statewide work there, " Covert-Bowlds said. " That gives them

serious exposure to second-hand smoke that can contribute to heart disease,

cancer and a variety of lung ailments. "

Sponsored largely by the American Cancer Society, I-901 would prohibit

smoking in any public area or place of employment. " This is the direction the

population wants to go, " said Mike O'Sullivan, a lobbyist with the Western

region of the American Cancer Society. " This is what the population wants and

this

is what science says is best. "

Business opponents of the initiative say business owners should be allowed

to decide what is best for their employees. But widely accepted opinion polls

that show the majority of Americans support smokefree workplace laws. Nine

states-- California, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,

Rhode Island, Montana, and Vermont-- have adopted such laws.

Supporters of I-901 have raised nearly $1 million, more than half of that

from the American Cancer Society, according to campaign reports filed with the

state. The No-on-901 campaign, largely a two-man operation run by a longtime

lobbyist and a Renton bowling alley employee, has raised $4,500 in cash,

according to the most recent reports.

To win smokefree air where you live, go to

_http://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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