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."
