Tell the D.C. Council: No exemptions

[Angela Bradbery]

Greetings.

 

I realize this is short notice, but please call or email the D.C. Council (dcco...@dccouncil.us) immediately and tell them to vote against a proposal to weaken D.C.'s smokefree workplaces law. (Phone numbers are at http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/contactuscouncil.)

 

Councilmember Jack Evans (Ward 2) has introduced "emergency" legislation being considered today that would permit groups to smoke cigars at certain events (he is a member of one group that wants to do this on St. Patrick's Day).

 

For more details, see the Examiner story: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Evans-eyes-cigar-smoking-exemption-for-large-D_C_-hotels-85866217.html

 

Please remind the Council that the law is the law for very good reasons (worker and public health), and the Council should not bend it. Granting exemptions not only would open the floodgates for others to seek similar exemptions, but would send a message that the Council does not take seriously the laws it passes. And of course, there would be health consequences for the workers at the events.

 

Unfortunately, Evans is also pushing a bill for this to be a permanent exemption, rather than a one-time thing. We'll send you more information about that - and opportunities to testify against it - when we get them.

 

Thanks.

 

Angela Bradbery

Co-founder, Smokefree DC