[C-U Smokefree] Smokefree Citizen Referenda

[Kathy Drea]

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Godshall [mailto:bill at smokescreen.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 4:14 PM
To: Health Advocates
Subject: [bg-announce]Smokefree Citizen Referenda

Yesterday, citizens in at least five communities voted to enact or 
uphold smokefree workplace laws.

- In Pueblo, CO (pop 102,000), voters rejected an attempt to weaken a
strong clean indoor air law that voters upheld in May. The law was first
enacted by the city council in December, and required all public places
and workplaces, including restaurants and bars, to be smoke-free. After
the opponents lost their attempt to reverse the council's decision
through a special election in May, they tried to get voters to amend the
law by exempting bars and expanding the definition of bars to any
establishment that makes up to 60% of its revenue from food. This would
have exempted many restaurants and all bars. Last night, voters rejected
this amendment by a 56%-44% margin.

- In Greeley, CO (pop 77,000), voters approved a law that requires all
public places and workplaces, including restaurants and bars, to be
smoke-free. The vote was 59% to 41%.

- In Prescott, AZ (pop. 34,000) voters approved Prop. 200, which
establishes smokefree policies in most workplaces (freestanding bars are
exempt for two years).

- In Summit County, CO (pop 24,000), home to Keystone, Copper Mountain
and other ski resorts, voters approved a measure that requires all
public places and workplaces, including restaurants and bars, to be
smokefree. It applies only to unincorporated areas of the county, and
the county commissioners must now enact the legislation. The vote was
64% to 36%.

- In Douglasville, GA (pop. 20,000) residents voted 81 percent to 19
percent to establish smokefree policies in public buildings.

- In Wauseon, OH (pop. 7,000) the vote is too close to call. The
proposed ordinance would establish smokefree policies inside most public
places including bars and restaurants. Official results aren't expected
until Nov. 18. Gloria Marlatt, board of elections director, said that
with about 25 ballots yet to be certified "it could go either way."
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031105/NEWS05/11
1050092

Note that voters in many communities aren't empowered to enact smokefree
referenda due to tobacco industry sponsored state laws that preempt
local smokefree laws, and because some state legislatures preempt
citizen referenda. Thanks to Bronson Frick and Chris Sherwin for
forwarding this information on smokefree referenda.



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