Arkansas Adopts Smokefree Restaurant Law
04/10/06
Law to take effect in 90 days
Arkansas, 4/10/06-- On Friday, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee signed smokefree restaurant legislation into law. "The more people we can protect from secondhand smoke, the better," said Huckabee. "There's probably some crying towels being passed out in the tobacco industry today," joked the governor.
The law, which also requires offices to be smokefree, will take effect in 90 days.
"We are thrilled for office and restaurant workers," said Joe Cherner, founder of BREATHE (Bar and Restaurant Employees Advocating Together for a Healthy Environment). "We only wish the health of bar workers (bartenders, cocktail waitresses, musicians, etc.) would be treated with the same respect and dignity."
Arkansas joins California, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Montana, Vermont, Washington, New Jersey, Utah, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Hawaii, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Guam and Washington DC-- all of whom have passed comprehensive smokefree restaurant legislation.
To send a letter in support of smokefree air where YOU live, go to www.smokefree.net/alerts.php