Smokefree 2005, 2006, and Beyond

Smokefree workplace legislation is a matter of respect and dignity for workers

As 2005 comes to an end, I'd like to thank the 50,000+ smokefree advocates on this listserv. Together, we have made tremendous progress for clean indoor air. In the USA, ten entire states-- CA, DE, NY, CT, ME, MA, RI, MT, VT, and WA-- have now enacted smokefree workplace legislation for ALL workers, including restaurant and bar workers. If we work hard in 2006, that number should double.

In Canada (which has thirteen provinces/territories), eleven entire provinces/territories-- British Columbia, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Ontario-- have enacted smokefree workplace legislation for ALL workers, including restaurant and bar workers. The remaining two-- Alberta and Yukon-- are likely to take action in 2006.

Worldwide, the entire countries of Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Spain, New Zealand, Uganda, Malta, and Bhutan have enacted smokefree workplace legislation for ALL workers, including restaurant and bar workers. The UK, Australia, and Bermuda are likely to become the world's next smokefree countries.

Everyone, especially the tobacco cartel, knows how this story will end. The only question is how long it will take.

Please celebrate the new year by going to www.smokefree.net/alerts.php and sending a letter urging your state to pass smokefree workplace legislation or thanking your state if it has already done so.

Smokefree workplace legislation is a matter of respect and dignity for workers. All workers deserve a safe, healthy, smokefree workplace. No worker should have to breathe tobacco smoke pollution to hold a job, because it causes cancer, heart disease, respiratory illness.

Joseph W. Cherner
"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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