In 2005, Washington voters overwhelmingly passed the Smoking in Public Places Act, protecting all workers from secondhand smoke. It passed in all 39 counties, leaving no room for doubt that our state wanted to protect the health of all workers.
Despite this support, the Legislature wants to roll back the will of the people with House Bill 1919 sponsored by Rep. Brandon Vick, which would allow smoking in cigar bars. Not only that, it would require employees in those establishments to use tobacco and continue smoking as a condition of employment.
Every employee deserves a safe workplace, free of secondhand smoke. No one should be forced to choose between their health or job. Secondhand smoke contains hundreds of toxic chemicals, including about 70 that can cause cancer. Smoking costs our state nearly $3 billion annually in health care costs. Instead of encouraging smoking to keep a job, Washington needs to focus on eliminating secondhand smoke exposure and reducing the number of tobacco users.
Washington voters already spoke loudly and clearly by passing the smoke-free law. Ask your representatives to vote “no” on Bill 1919 to prevent cancer, save lives and save money.
