About SmokefreeDC.org
Thank you for visiting Smokefree DC's Web site. We are a group of DC-area residents who are deeply concerned about the harmful effects of secondhand smoke in the workplace. We are striving to ensure that no worker has to breathe secondhand smoke on the job. Contrary to what many say, it isn't so easy for many folks to just get another job if they don't want to breathe smoke.
Smokefree DC started in 2002 when two District residents combined their skills to bring attention to the problem of secondhand smoke in restaurants and bars in DC. Michael "Tac" Tacelosky had been maintaining a database of smokefree restaurants since he arrived from California in 1995. But the project lapsed and was inactive until late 2002, when D.C. resident Angela Bradbery contacted him and offered to update the list and begin encouraging establishments to go 100 percent smokefree.
Shortly after that, we created a 100% smokefree decal to promote smokefree restaurants. We launched this Web site, with a searchable restaurant guide and an online petition for people to sign to indicate their support for smokefree workplaces, including bars and restaurants.
As part of our outreach to make the campaign broader, we met with other public health groups in the District, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and others. We proposed the idea of changing the current (weak) DC law and were met with immediate and strong support. Together, we began discussions on how to coordinate a such a campaign, and soon we were joined by bar and restaurant workers, community organizers and college activists.
In September 2003, Councilmembers Adrian Fenty, Phil Mendelson and Kathy Patterson introduced a smokefree workplace bill. Unfortunately, it was referred to a committee chaired by Councilmember Carol Schwartz, a former smoker who does not believe that all workers deserve to be protected from secondhand smoke, and she killed the measure.
Because the legislative front was bleak, in early 2004, a DC resident also involved in the smokefree effort began an effort to place a smokefree workplace measure on the November 2004 ballot. However, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington -- which represents just 12 percent of District restaurants and takes tobacco industry money -- sued to block it, and the case is still tied up in court.
We are still working, though. In the summer of 2004, we incorporated and became a 501c(4) membership organization to better accomplish our goals.
We are still working to educate the community and policymakers about the dangers of secondhand smoke, in hopes that DC eventually will have a law protecting all workers. But we can't do it alone -- we need your help. Please become a Smokefree DC member today. We will do our best to ensure your voice is heard.