HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0013.244 2002-2004 Ya}~TC 1 Ui G
Fred & Diane Holschuh
From: "Bill Godshall" <bill@smokescreen.org>
To: "Health Advocates" <bg-announce@smokescreen.org> ' 03 JUL 1 A(9 8 2 `f
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 1:39 PM
Subject: (bg-announce]Maine 5th smokefree state COl_i7fv l-;_HHtgAi +++,1 ~I
PcQUNI~~ .;~iy ~b1`r' blY
To send letters to officials in your state urging them to enact smokefree wor p ace egrs aU o
wwwamokefree~
BALDACCI SIGNS BAN ON SMOKE IN BARS
By Francis X. Quinn
Associated Press
Bangor Daily News
2003-06-25
htt~//www.bangornews oom/editorialnews/artcle.cfm/1D/403584
AUGUSTA -Cheered on by supporters, Gov. John Baldacci signed a measure into law Tuesday that will prohibit
smoking in bars.The new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2004, and will move Maine closer to banning smoking in virtually all
indoor public places.
Public health officials and advocates, along with sponsoring legislators, joined the first-term Democratic chief
executive at a Cabinet Room bill-signing ceremony.
"Today I am signing into law a historic step toward providing cleaner indoor air to all Maine people," Baldacci said.
"This bill makes all lounges and taverns, pool halls and certain off-track betting facilities smoke free.
"Together with the previously signed bill that provides for smoke-free bingo and beano halls, the 121st Legislature is
providing cleaner indoor air for many of our public and workers who were previously not protected against secondhand
smoke, a Class A carcinogen," Baldacci said.
The governor said Maine stands to be the fifth state to mandate smokeless bazs, and that experience elsewhere
demonstrates that "this law is actually good for business," allowing establishments to retain most regulaz customers
while attracting new ones.
"Don't get me wrong," Baldacci continued, "smokers are welcomed throughout the state of Maine.. We simply ask that
you leave your burning cigarettes at the door so that [your] health and the health of others around you will be better
protected."
As Baldacci began to read off the telephone number of a toll-free Tobacco Health Line - 1-800-207-1230 -the audience
burst into cheers and applause.
The help line offers assistance on quitting smoking.
Among those credited by Baldacci for promoting passage of the legislation - An Act to Protect Workers from
Secondhand Smoke and To Promote Worker Safety -were the Coalition on Smoking OR Health and the Pvtnership
For ATobacco-Free Maine.
Comm. No. ~ • 2 /30 2003
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