Published: December 20, 2005

New Jersey Senate Votes 29-7 for Clean Indoor Air

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Bill moves to the Assembly

Parts excerpted from NJ.com, 12/16/05
TRENTON - The New Jersey state Senate voted Thursday in favor of smokefree workplace legislation, including bars and restaurants. The legislation, which passed 29 to 7, would eliminate tobacco smoke in all public spaces and workplaces except casino floors.

"We are happy for office, restaurant, and bar workers," said Joe Cherner, founder of BREATHE (Bar and Restaurant Employees Advocating Together for a Healthy Environment), "but we wish casino workers would be treated with the same respect and dignity."

"It's long, long overdue," said Tom Duffy, executive vice president of the New Jersey chapter of the American Cancer Society.

The bill now goes to the New Jersey state Assembly where its fate remains unclear. Acting Gov. Richard Codey, supports the bill and has put its enactment on his short to-do list before leaving office in January.

"With all of the facts we know today, we need to do whatever we can to protect our workers and patrons from being exposed to the dangers of secondhand smoke," Codey said in a statement. "The Senate should be commended for putting the public's health first and passing a measure that, in the long run, will benefit millions."

If the measure is approved by the Assembly, the Garden State would join California, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Montana, Vermont, and Washington in providing clean indoor air for workers.

NJ residents can send a letter of support at www.smokefree.net/NJ
Others, go to www.smokefree.net/alerts.php