Tell Governor Kaine you want a REAL smokefree law!

Publication Date: 2007-03-29

On Tuesday, Governor Kaine amended House Bill 2422 to make ALL restaurants and bars smokefree. He removed a provision that would have allowed restaurants and bars to post a "smoking allowed" sign on the door. Once posted, even non-smoking sections would be obsolete. Now, the Governor's strong amendment must go back to the House and Senate for agreement.

We want this bill to pass in its current form, as amended by the Governor. It would be a step backwards for Virginia if the House and Senate reinstate the "smoking allowed" sign provision.

That's where you come in!

We need you to contact your legislators to ask them to support the Governor's amendment and approve a strong smokefree law for Virginia.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1. Contact your Delegate and Senator. Visit Vote Smart to find their phone numbers and email addresses. Please ask them to support the Governor's amendment to HB 2422 and pass a strong smokefree law for Virginia.

2. Email Governor Kaine or call (804) 786-2211. Thank him for amending the bill to make all restaurants and bars smokefree.

It only takes a moment to make a huge difference!

TALKING POINTS FOR YOUR CALLS OR EMAILS:

For your Delegate and Senator: Please support the Governor's amendment to HB 2422 to create a 100% smokefree law that covers ALL restaurants.

For Governor Kaine: Thank you for eliminating the "smoking allowed" sign provision. This provision would not protect ANY restaurant or bar workers from secondhand smoke. If the amendments removing the sign-posting provision are rejected, I expect you to VETO THIS BILL! Do not approve a watered down version that will leave workers unprotected from secondhand smoke.

For both:
-Everyone deserves the right to breathe smokefree air at work, not just office employees. Restaurant and bar workers are not second-class citizens.
-Secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard. Secondhand smoke contains arsenic, ammonia, cyanide and 4,000 other chemicals, including more than 60 carcinogens.
-Thank you for taking time to consider my view. I look forward to hearing back from you with your opinion on this important issue.