[C-U Smokefree] Burlington VT Bars Go Smoke Free

[Theotskl at aol.com]

Hi There--FYI.

Good news from Burlington, VT.

Keep up the great work you are doing in the Urbana-Champaign community!!

Theo

Theo Tsoukalas, Ph.D.

Burlington (VT) Bars Go Smokefree on May 1


BURLINGTON, VT-- April 13, 2004... On Monday, the Burlington (VT) City 
Council voted unanimously to require bars to be smokefree, beginning May 1.


In 1993, Vermont became one of the nation's first states to pass smokefree 
restaurant legislation.  But it allowed smoking to continue in stand-alone bars. 
 Now cities around the state are moving to rectify that oversight-- beginning 
with Burlington.  


The city of South Burlington will likely be next.


A statewide smokefree bar bill stalled in committee this legislative session, 
but will likely come up again next session.  State and local governments 
around the country are passing legislation to protect workers from tobacco smoke, 
a substance known to cause cancer in humans.


"We are pleased that Burlington has decided to treat bar workers (bartenders, 
waitstaff, musicians, cleaning staff, etc.) with the same respect as it 
treats all other workers," says Joe Cherner, spokesperson for BREATHE-- Bar and 
Restaurant Employees Advocating Together for a Healthy Environment.  "We hope the 
state will quickly follow Burlington's lead."


To send a letter in support of statewide (VT) smokefree bars, go to 
www.smokefree.net/VT