TAKE ACTION: Stop the Attempt to Water Down DC's Smokefree Law

STOP THE ATTEMPT TO WATER DOWN DC'S SMOKEFREE LAW!

On Tuesday, the City Council acting as the Committee of the Whole will consider "emergency" legislation proposed by Councilmember Jack Evans that would open a loophole in our smokefree law to allow a hotel to host a cigar-smoking event. Councilmember Evans also proposes permanent legislation to be considered at a later date. Emails and phone calls are needed urgently to Councilmembers to stop this outrageous attempt to weaken our successful and popular law. Below are some key points to make when communicating with members of Council:

* There's no reason for the exception.
* And to open it to one group would require opening it to other groups.
* It's not an emergency.
* We've already had hours and hours of debate on this, and reached the conclusion that DC values the health of its employees, and secondhand smoke is toxic.
* If Mr. Evans wants a change in the law, it should have to go through a committee hearing and be subject to public scrutiny and discussion, not a last-minute procedural loophole. We stopped this last year when Councilmember Evans attempted this, let's do it again!

From the Advocacy Committee

Peter H. Fisher
Vice President, State Issues
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
1400 I Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 296-5469
(202) 296-5427 fax
(202) 251-8119 mobile
www.tobaccofreekids.org