Contact:
Angela Bradbery (202) 669-6517

Nov. 9, 2005

Prince George's County, Washington State Go Smokefree; District Should Follow as Soon as Possible

Statement from Smokefree DC

Smokefree DC celebrates Tuesday's adoption of comprehensive smokefree workplace laws by two more jurisdictions: locally in Prince George's County and across the country in Washington state. We hope that it will not be long before the nation's capital joins the steadily growing list of places with clean indoor air laws.

The Prince George's County Council voted unanimously to join Montgomery and Talbot counties in requiring that smokers step outside and not subject restaurant and bar workers, as well as patrons, to harmful tobacco smoke. A cigar bar on the club level of FedEx Field and private clubs such as Elks lodges and VFW halls are the only exceptions allowed by the Council.

Washington state's new law, a ballot initiative approved by 63 percent of voters, is the strictest in the country. It makes no exceptions for private clubs or cigar bars, and it extends smokefree zones outside, to within 25 feet of doors, windows and air vents of public places.

Washington becomes the tenth state to adopt a comprehensive smokefree workplace law that includes restaurants and bars, joining California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. At the local level, Prince George's County joins at least 71 other counties and cities throughout the country with clean indoor air laws. According to Americans for Non-Smokers' Rights, nearly 30 percent of the U.S. population now lives in jurisdictions with comprehensive smokefree workplace laws.

Internationally, last week Nova Scotia became the tenth Canadian province and territory to become smokefree. Ireland, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, Sweden and Uganda have passed smokefree laws that include bars and restaurants.

Two weeks ago the District's Committee on Health passed a comprehensive smokefree workplace bill that the full Council will soon consider. It would exempt existing cigar bars and allow waivers for establishments that can prove significant economic harm from a smoking ban. It also would not become fully effective until January 2007. Eleven of the 13 council members are on record as supporting a comprehensive law, as are four of the five declared candidates running for mayor.

When the District first considered a smokefree measure, passage would have put Washington, D.C., ahead of the curve. No longer. In fact, we are fast slipping behind. Smokefree DC strongly urges the Council to waste no time in passing and enacting a smokefree workplace law. There is no reason to wait.

Smokefree DC (www.smokefreedc.org) is a nonprofit membership organization that supports 100% smokefree environments for all workplaces, including offices, restaurants and bars, because no worker should be forced to breathe smoke on the job.