Fwd: [JoeCherner-announce]WASHINGTON STATE Editorial: Vote for clean indoor air

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/2/2005 8:42:35 PM Eastern Standard Time,

Joe writes:

 

In November, voters in the state of Washington will vote FOR or AGAINST

clean indoor air (Ballot Initiative 901). If voters pass Initiative 901,

Washington will become the 10th smokefree workplace state in the USA. The

following

editorial explains why voters should vote FOR Initiative 901.

 

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Seattle Times Editorial, 10/2/05

Vote FOR clean indoor air (Ballot Initiative 901)

 

A WORKPLACE should be free of dirty air. Washington voters need to ensure

that is the case by passing an initiative to ban smoking in all places where

people work. Washington would be following a number of other states and

nations that have instituted bans on smoking in places such as bars and

restaurants.

The Times recommends passage of Initiative 901, a common-sense initiative

that amends Washington's 20-year-old Clean Air Act that banned smoking in most

workplaces. The initiative would add clean air to bars, restaurants,

non-tribal casinos, skating rinks and bowling alleys, which are all exempt from

the

current Clean Air Act. Grabbing a quick bite to eat in a smoky restaurant

now and again might be a nuisance, but for the employees, the daily exposure

can be devastating. Enough evidence shows that secondhand smoke can cause

health problems in non-smokers, the same that are seen in smokers, such as lung

cancer and heart disease.

In Helena, Mont., a study found that the number of people going to the

emergency room for heart attacks dropped by almost half after smoking was

eliminated for six months in bars, restaurants and other workplaces.

Opponents of I-901 claim the cozy, smoke-filled neighborhood tavern will be

hurt if patrons are not allowed to smoke. This has not been the case in other

states where smoking has been extinguished.

A study by the Harvard School of Public Health showed that there were no

drastic economic consequences for bars and restaurants in Massachusetts after a

smoking ban was imposed in 2004. Revenue and employment numbers remained

stable, with slight increases after the ban.

The trend to smoke-free workplaces is well under way. It is Washington's

turn to create healthy workplaces for everyone.

Note: California, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,

Rhode Island, Montana, and Vermont have all passed smokefree workplace

legislation similar to Initiative 901.

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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