California Residents: Take action to support strengthening the smokefree workplace law

Publication Date: 2011-06-24

On Wednesday, Senate Bill 575, to close loopholes in California’s smokefree workplace law, passed out of the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment on a vote of 4-2. 

The bill will now have a hearing in the Committee on Governmental Operations on July 6. Unfortunately, this committee has a history of being tough on tobacco control issues, so we all need to speak up and voice our support.

We need you to continue to share your voice with your Assembly member so that they know you support smokefree air for all California workers.

What can you do to help?

California residents, please click here to send an email to your Assembly member to ask that he/she support Senate Bill 575. You can amend this email to include your own personal comments and stories, which are very compelling for legislators to hear.

Senate Bill 575 will be a good step forward to provide more Californians with a healthier, smokefree workplace. This bill was unfortunately weakened in the Senate to continue allowing smoking in retail tobacco stores and cigar bars, and many people working next door to, or living above, these establishments report that tobacco smoke drifts into their businesses and homes, exposing them to toxins. While this exemption is a setback, the bill will still expand protections to many Californians who are currently breathing toxic tobacco smoke on the job.

Did you know?

The 2005 California Tobacco Survey found that 14% of California’s workforce reported being exposed to secondhand smoke on the job. This includes:

• 29.7% with a household income of $10,001 to $20,000
• 44% with a household income of $20,001 to $30,000
• 24.3% of 18 to 24 year olds
• 23.3% of Latinos

Even if you aren’t personally exposed to tobacco smoke on the job, many other Californians are suffering from exposure, and we all need to speak up for everyones right to breathe smokefree air.