HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0013.016 2002-2004 Page 1 of 2
Fred 8 Diane Holschuh
From: "Jce Chemer" <Jce@smokefree.org>
To: "Joe Chemer announce list" <JoeCherner-announce@smokefree.net> ~ - _
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2003 6:12 PM ~ ~ ` "
Subject: [JceCherner-announcejRestaurant Associations and Health Groups Work for Common Goal /
Once Enemies, Now Friends -
Restaurant Associations and Health Groups Work for Common Goal
Once the biggest opponents of smokefree workplace legislation, restaurant associations are quickly becoming the
biggest supporters.
More than a hundred U.S. cities now have smokefree laws in place, and restaurants have found that business has not
been hurt. [n addition, cleaning bills aze lower, employee health is better, and managing is easier not having to separate
customers.
Rick J. Sampson, the president of the New York State Restaurant Association, said that a majority of the 8,000
members of his group, including restaurants, food service operators and suppliers, indicated their support for a total ban
on smoking in a recent survey. "This is the future," he said. "This is the way it's going." Mr. Sampson pledged to settle
for nothing less than a complete ban on smoking in workplaces and said he would advocate for legislation in that
direction.
Massachusetts's restaurant association also recently dropped its opposition to smokefree workplace legislation. In
California, the nation's lazgest restaurant association endorsed smokefree workplace legislation many years ago.
"I remember when restaurant associations testified that smokefree workplace legislation would hurt tourism, lead to
massive layoffs, and drive restaurants out of business," says Jce Cherner, president of SmokeFree Educational Services,
Inc., the nation's largest smokefree advocacy group. "It's nice to see them come onboard. We aze thrilled to now be
advocating together."
Basically, restaurant associations want a healthy environment for workers and a level playing field for business. So do
restaurant unions. According to San Francisco's Hotel and Restaurant Employee's Union (HERE), "When smokefree
workplace legislation was proposed in California, some hospitality-based unions were opposed. They were concerned
about the potential economic impact such legislation would have. Now, it is obvious that such concerns were
unfounded. SmokeFree workplace legislation is not only good for health, it is also good for business."
At a recent hearing in Boston, Janice Loux, president of Boston's Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union testified, "Baz
and restaurant workers are one and a half to two times more likely to die of lung cancer than they would be if bar and
restaurants were one hundred percent smokefree. Bar and restaurant workers endure levels of secondhand smoke four
to six times greater than found in the home of a smoker. Our members are clear on this issue. Clean air works in our
workplace."
"When legislatures pass laws allowing smoking in one workplace but not in another, it creates an unlevel playing field
and it says that some workers' health is more important than other workers' health." adds Chemer. "We are all human
beings. The health of ALL workers is EQUALLY important. Tobacco smoke causes cancer. All workers deserve a
safe, healthy, smokefree workplace."
To send a letter in support of smokefree workplace legislation, go to www.smokefree.org
Comm. No.
File No.
Re° ~ 01/28/2003
Rer. mate FEB 0 4 20 3
Page 2 of 2
Joseph W. Cherner, President
SmokeFree Educational Services, Inc.
http://www.smokefree.org
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever
has." Mazgazet Mead
3
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