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

September 2, 2004

Smokefree DC Issues Voter Guide

DC Voters Can Replace Four Councilmembers Who Oppose Smokefree Workplaces With Four Who Support Such Protections

[Download the Voter Guide PDF]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Smokefree DC today issued a voter guide to the upcoming District Council elections, indicating which Council candidates support 100 percent smokefree workplaces.

The guide shows that voters have an opportunity to re-elect a strong supporter of smokefree workplaces (Ward 4 Councilmember Adrian Fenty) and replace four Councilmembers who oppose such worker protections (At-Large Councilmembers Harold Brazil and Carol Schwartz, Ward 7 Councilmember Kevin Chavous and Ward 8 Councilmember Sandy Allen) with people who support them.

"We urge voters to read this guide and study it before going to the polls," said Smokefree DC co-founder and president Angela Bradbery. "The DC Council has the power to protect all workers from secondhand smoke, but it is clear that this Council will not act. If you believe everyone deserves to breathe clean air, on the job, change the makeup of this Council."

Challengers who support 100 percent smokefree workplaces are running in almost every race:

  • In the race for Brazil’s at-large seat, Democrats Kwame Brown and Sam Brooks are both strong supporters of 100 percent smokefree workplaces. Brown has made smokefree workplaces part of his platform, and Brooks has repeatedly spoken of his support at candidate forums.
  • In the at-large race for Schwartz’s seat, Republican challenger Laurent Ross supports smokefree workplaces while Schwartz does not.
  • In the Ward 4 race, incumbent Fenty, who introduced the Smokefree Workplaces Act of 2003 and has long been a strong supporter of smokefree workplaces, has no opposition.
  • In the Ward 7 race, Democrats Vincent Gray and Mary Jackson support smokefree workplaces, as do Republican Jerod Tolson and Statehood Green party candidate Michelle Tingling-Clemmons.
  • In Ward 8 race, Democrats Jacque Patterson and Joyce Scott, as well as Republican Cardell Shelton support smokefree workplaces.

Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer and heart disease and is linked to asthma and bronchitis. 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. To view the voter guide, download the PDF from SmokefreeDC.org.

Smokefree DC is a non-profit 504c(4) membership organization that believes all workers have the right to breathe clean air on the job.