[C-U Smokefree] State of Washington to be 10th smokefree state

[Kathy Drea]

This update was sent last night from Annie Tegen from the American's for
Nonsmoker's Rights:

 

 

Great news! As of 11pm tonight, we are able to declare a landslide
victory in Washington state. 

Voters across Washington state approved Initiative 901 by a 26% margin,
with 63% of voters voting in favor of smokefree indoor air. Initiative
901 makes all indoor workplaces and public places 100% smokefree
starting December 8th, including restaurants, bars and casinos.  It is
important to note that the initiative enjoyed broad statewide support
and passed in every county so far (only one county has not reported any
results yet -- all other counties show 901 a clear winner).  Washington
becomes the tenth state with strong smokefree protections, and joins New
York, Massachusetts, Delaware, and Rhode Island in having smokefree air
in all workplaces, restaurants, and bars.  Nationally, more than 5,700
municipalities are now protected by a 100% smokefree local or statewide
law; and, currently, more than 37% of the U.S. population lives in an
area with a 100% smokefree workplace law, often including restaurants
and bars.

The Washington State Supreme Court issued a decision in February 2005
declaring that Washington state law prohibits municipalities from
passing smokefree laws at the local level. The legislature refused to
act. In response, Healthy Indoor Air for All in Washington, a statewide
coalition of health organizations, successfully gathered over 300,000
signatures to place Initiative 901 on the statewide ballot. This marks
the first state to pass a 100% comprehensive smokefree workplaces
measure, including all restaurants and bars. Florida voters
overwhelmingly approved their initiative in 2002 making workplaces and
restaurants smokefree, but exempted bars. 

The result at the polls in Washington tonight sends a firm message to
elected officials across the country: voters overwhelmingly support
strong smokefree protections that protect all workers. This win
demonstrates that the smokefree movement is thriving, and social norms
are dramatically shifting. Feel free to use the attached "swiss-cheese"
draft press release to link the Washington victory to your local
smokefree efforts to gain positive earned media at the local level. 

Congratulations to the fabulous campaign staff, supporting organizations
and hundreds of volunteers, who generously donated their time, energy
and financial resources to this campaign. For those outside Washington
state, thanks for supporting I-901 from afar. Please come visit us in
smokefree Washington! 

Cheers,
Annie

p.s. If your organization has a Smokefree Meetings Policy
<http://no-smoke.org/document.php?id=348> , please consider Washington
when planning your next meeting.  



Annie Tegen
Senior Program Manager
Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights
American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation
5231 Kensington Place North
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 545-7175 phone
(206) 632-7515 fax
www.no-smoke.org <http://www.no-smoke.org/>  
annie.tegen at no-smoke.org 

 

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