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The two articles below attest to the incredible popularity of 8 years of smokefree workplace legislation in California.
To send a letter of support for smokefree workplace legislation where you live, go to www.smokefree.org
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Support for Smokefree Bars Skyrockets in California
Labor and Business Leaders Praise 8 Years of Successful Smokefree Workplace Legislation
75% of Bar Owners Prefer Smokefree Law, Up from 47% in 1998
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 20, 2002--Nearly five years after California's groundbreaking smoke-free bar law took effect, two new Field Research polls for the Department of Health Services show overwhelming support for smoke-free bars, Governor Gray Davis announced today.
The polls were released at the 2002 National Conference on Tobacco or Health in San Francisco. According to the polls, 75 percent of bar owners and employees in California prefer to work in smoke-free environments. Nearly 80 percent of bar patrons agree that smoke-free dining and drinking establishments are important to their health.
"This study shows California's nationwide leadership in employee protection laws is backed by owners and workers alike," Gov. Davis said. "Despite the tobacco industry's aggressive interference and misinformation campaign, smoke-free bars are preferred by the majority of bar owners and employees, and bar patrons."
According to the 2002 "bar establishment" opinion poll, 75 percent of bar owners and employees said they now prefer to work in a smoke-free environment, compared to 47 percent in 1998. This represents a 60 percent increase in bar owner and employee support for the law.
In the same period, the 2002 "bar patron" opinion poll show that 79 percent of bar patrons surveyed said it's important to have a smoke-free environment inside clubs, bars, lounges and restaurants with bars, a 20 percent increase from the 66 percent reported in 1998.
The polls were released at the 2002 National Conference on Tobacco or Health in San Francisco. According to the polls, 75 percent of bar owners and employees in California prefer to work in smoke-free environments. Nearly 80 percent of bar patrons agree that smoke-free dining and drinking establishments are important to their health.
"This study shows California's nationwide leadership in employee protection laws is backed by owners and workers alike," Gov. Davis said. "Despite the tobacco industry's aggressive interference and misinformation campaign, smoke-free bars are preferred by the majority of bar owners and employees, and bar patrons."
According to the 2002 "bar establishment" opinion poll, 75 percent of bar owners and employees said they now prefer to work in a smoke-free environment, compared to 47 percent in 1998. This represents a 60 percent increase in bar owner and employee support for the law.
In the same period, the 2002 "bar patron" opinion poll show that 79 percent of bar patrons surveyed said it's important to have a smoke-free environment inside clubs, bars, lounges and restaurants with bars, a 20 percent increase from the 66 percent reported in 1998.
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 20, 2002--While other cities, states and countries debate smokefree workplace laws and listen to unsubstantiated threats of economic doom, California's health, labor and business leaders confirmed the success of California's Law for a Smoke-free Workplace (Assembly Bill 13). State Health Director Diana Bonta, along with leaders of the California Labor Federation AFL-CIO, Hotel & Lodging Association, small businesses and others celebrated the eight-year success of AB 13 -- California's most controversial employee protection law -- and the five-year anniversary of smoke-free bars.
"The California Labor Federation is proud to have sponsored one of the most sweeping worker health protection measures ever enacted in California or the United States," said Tom Rankin, president, California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. "We know cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including dozens of known human carcinogens. Workers should not have to choose between their jobs and their health."
"We in California's lodging industry were understandably nervous about the potential detrimental effects a smoking ban would have on our businesses," said Jim Abrams, executive vice president of the California Hotel and Lodging Association. "But none of the doomsday predictions happened. In fact, tourism in California increased each year following passage of AB 13. We can say with certainty to the rest of the country that a workplace smoking ban is good for the lodging industry."
"California's Smoke-Free Workplace Law has benefited millions of workers over the past several years by protecting them from the deadly effects of secondhand smoke," added Rankin. "We hope California serves as an example to other cities, states and countries that a smoking ban is good for workers, employers and the public."
"More and more of our hotel and motel members have gone further than the law mandated," added Abrams. "While the law required only 35 percent of hotel and motel rooms be non-smoking, most members set aside a much higher percentage due to customer demand. The fact is that the vast majority of customers prefer a smoke-free environment."
Echoing statements from eight years ago, John F. Henning, former executive secretary-treasurer, California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, added, "What was true then is still true today: death by cigarette smoke should not be a condition of employment."
"The tobacco industry tried to scare our members into thinking their employers would lose business due to the smoking ban, and that they would lose their jobs," said Michael Casey, President, Hotel & Restaurant Employees, Local 2, AFL-CIO, of San Francisco. "I'm proud to say our union members and many employers saw through these tactics and stood up for the right to a safe and healthy workplace."
"The California Labor Federation is proud to have sponsored one of the most sweeping worker health protection measures ever enacted in California or the United States," said Tom Rankin, president, California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. "We know cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including dozens of known human carcinogens. Workers should not have to choose between their jobs and their health."
"We in California's lodging industry were understandably nervous about the potential detrimental effects a smoking ban would have on our businesses," said Jim Abrams, executive vice president of the California Hotel and Lodging Association. "But none of the doomsday predictions happened. In fact, tourism in California increased each year following passage of AB 13. We can say with certainty to the rest of the country that a workplace smoking ban is good for the lodging industry."
"California's Smoke-Free Workplace Law has benefited millions of workers over the past several years by protecting them from the deadly effects of secondhand smoke," added Rankin. "We hope California serves as an example to other cities, states and countries that a smoking ban is good for workers, employers and the public."
"More and more of our hotel and motel members have gone further than the law mandated," added Abrams. "While the law required only 35 percent of hotel and motel rooms be non-smoking, most members set aside a much higher percentage due to customer demand. The fact is that the vast majority of customers prefer a smoke-free environment."
Echoing statements from eight years ago, John F. Henning, former executive secretary-treasurer, California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, added, "What was true then is still true today: death by cigarette smoke should not be a condition of employment."
"The tobacco industry tried to scare our members into thinking their employers would lose business due to the smoking ban, and that they would lose their jobs," said Michael Casey, President, Hotel & Restaurant Employees, Local 2, AFL-CIO, of San Francisco. "I'm proud to say our union members and many employers saw through these tactics and stood up for the right to a safe and healthy workplace."
"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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