Published: October 03, 2006

Arizona and Ohio Smokefree Ballot Initiatives

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Joseph W. Cherner

If you get confused easily, you won't like this story...

This November, voters in Arizona and Ohio will be voting on smokefree workplace legislation. Unfortunately, tobacco interests have intentionally added similar sounding but drastically different initiatives to the ballot in each state. RJ Reynolds has already committed $40 million to pass the misleading, fake, weak, proposals.

ARIZONA: YES on 201; NO on 206

In Arizona, voters will cast their ballots on Proposition 201 (sponsored by health groups) and Proposition 206 (sponsored by tobacco interests). Proposition 201 (called the Smoke-Free Arizona Act) would provide virtually all workers with a safe, healthy, smokefree workplace. Proposition 206 (called the Arizona Non-Smoker Protection Act) would allow smoking in many locations and preempt localities from passing stronger legislation. If voters pass both Proposition 201 AND Proposition 206, the one with the most votes will become law.

OHIO: YES on Issue 5; NO on Issue 4

In Ohio, voters will cast their ballots on Issue 5 (sponsored by health groups) and Issue 4 (sponsored by tobacco interests. Issue 5 (called SmokeFREE Ohio) would provide virtually all workers with a safe, healthy, smokefree workplace. Issue 4 (called SmokeLESS Ohio) would allow smoking in many locations and preempt localities from passing stronger legislation. If voters pass both Issue 5 and Issue 4, the weak Issue 4 becomes law because it is actually a constitutional amendment. Therefore, it is very important that Ohioans vote NO on Issue 4.

To get involved in Arizona, go to www.smokefreearizona.org. To get involved in Ohio, go to www.smokefreeohio.org.

alan@newsblaze.com