|
Smoke-free 2005, 2006, and Beyond
Smoke-free workplace legislation is a matter of respect and dignity
for workers
As 2005 comes to an
end, I'd like to thank the 50,000+ smoke-free advocates on this
listserv. Together, we have made tremendous progress for clean
indoor air. In the USA, ten entire states-- CA, DE, NY, CT, ME, MA,
RI, MT, VT, and WA-- have now enacted smoke-free workplace
legislation for ALL workers, including restaurant and bar workers.
If we work hard in 2006, that number should double.
In Canada (which has thirteen
provinces/territories), eleven entire provinces/territories--
British Columbia, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick,
Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Northwest
Territories, Nunavut, and Ontario-- have enacted smoke-free
workplace legislation for ALL workers, including restaurant and bar
workers. The remaining two-- Alberta and Yukon-- are likely to take
action in 2006.
Worldwide, the entire countries of
Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Spain, New Zealand, Uganda, Malta,
and Bhutan have enacted smoke-free workplace legislation for ALL
workers, including restaurant and bar workers. The UK, Australia,
and Bermuda are likely to become the world's next smoke-free
countries.
Everyone, especially the tobacco
cartel, knows how this story will end. The only question is how long
it will take.
Please celebrate the new year by
going to www.smokefree.net/alerts.php and sending a letter urging
your state to pass smoke-free workplace legislation or thanking your
state if it has already done so.
Smoke-free workplace legislation is
a matter of respect and dignity for workers. All workers deserve a
safe, healthy, smoke-free workplace. No worker should have to
breathe tobacco smoke pollution to hold a job, because it causes
cancer, heart disease, respiratory illness.
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
-----------------------------------------------
Please use your browser's back button to return to the previous
page, or go directly to the SmokeFreeSocietyEducation.org
Home Page.
|
