Contact:
Angela Bradbery (202)669-6517
Michael Tacelosky (202) 271-9320

November 18, 2004

Ben's Chili Bowl Protects Workers from Secondhand Smoke But Many Businesses Don't – D.C. Needs Smokefree Workplace Law

Major Public Health Association to Hold Future Meetings Only in Smokefree Cities; Allowing Smoking in Restaurants and Bars May Cost the District a 14,000-Person Conference

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Smokefree DC today praised Ben's Chili Bowl for protecting workers and patrons from secondhand smoke, and applauded D.C. Councilmembers who came to Ben's to show support for smokefree workplaces as part of the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout.

"Unfortunately, not all restaurants and bars in the District care about their workers as much as Ben's," said Angela Bradbery, Smokefree DC co-founder. "Far too many workers jeopardize their health every day in D.C. to earn a paycheck."

In fact, under D.C. law, smokers can light up in offices, health care facilities and even day care centers. This highlights the need for a smokefree workplace law, which would protect all workers and give businesses a level playing field.

Underscoring this need is a resolution passed last week by the American Public Health Association (APHA), which decided to hold future meetings only in smokefree cities. This means that Washington, D.C., could lose a major, economically beneficial conference if it doesn't go smokefree. Last week's APHA annual conference, held in D.C., brought 14,000 people to the city for a five-day meeting at the Washington Convention Center.

"We hope the District's political and business leaders take note of APHA's move and realize that ignoring the plight of those who work in smoky environments has a clear economic downside," said Michael "Tac" Tacelosky, another Smokefree DC co-founder. "APHA likely will not be the only major organization to avoid smoky cities such as the District. There can be a significant economic impact to being a smoker-friendly city."

Seven states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island), dozens of cities and three countries (Ireland, Norway and Sweden) have enacted legislation that protects all workers – including those in bars and restaurants – from secondhand smoke.

Secondhand smoke is more than just a nuisance; it causes lung cancer and heart disease, and is responsible for an estimated 38,000 to 65,000 deaths per year in non-smokers.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued a warning to those at risk of heart disease that exposure to secondhand smoke for as little as 30 minutes can increase the risk of a heart attack.

Smokefree DC is a group of is a group of Washington, DC residents and employees who believe everyone deserves to breathe clean, smokefree air. We support 100% smokefree environments for all workplaces, including offices, restaurants and bars.