[C-U Smokefree] Madison WI Smokefree!

[Theotskl at aol.com]

Hi there--

Madison WI went smokefree yesterday and the health benefits to bar and 
restaurant workers (and the entire community) will be tremendous.  Nobody should 
have to work in spaces that would make them ill, and nobody should patronize 
businesses that would make them ill either.

One day soon, Champaign-Urbana will be liberated from the toxic exposure of 
secondhand smoke.  Keep up the good work CU Smoke Free Alliance!

Theo

Theo Tsoukalas, Ph.D.

News Item on Madison WI Follows



Madison (WI) Passes Smokefree Workplace Law

City Council approves law by 15-5 margin


After three hours of public testimony, the Madison (WI) City Council voted 
15-5 in favor of smokefree workplace legislation for all Madison workers, 
including restaurant and bar workers.


"We've made a significant difference for clean air and health," said Alderman 
Steve Holtzman after the vote. "We've passed a model ordinance-- simple, easy 
to understand, and self-enforcing."


Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz praised the civil debate and said the vote 
brings an "excellent result." 


"Currently, few bartenders and waitresses benefit from smoke-free workplace 
laws," said Gretchen Peterson of the American Cancer Society. "But all workers 
should have a right to breath clean air," she said. "We all know there is no 
safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke."


Brian Haltinner, a professor at UW-Madison, added that smokers should not 
have a right to hurt others with their smoke.  A parade of middle and high school 
students also spoke in favor of the proposal which was endorsed 7-1 by the 
city's Economic Development Commission and unanimously by the city's Health 
Commission.


To send a letter of congratulations to the Madison City Council, go to 
www.smokefree.net/Madison