Smoking may be a fading memory in the state’s businesses if a panel of State House legislators approves a bill that would prohibit smoking in all indoor workplaces with more than one employee. Outdoor workplaces, such as construction areas, would be excluded from this ban. If enacted, this law would mirror similar total smoking restrictions in restaurants passed in 40 localities and 88 with partial bans.
For example, Brookline has promoted its Smokefree Brookline campaign to educate the public about the dangers of smoking as well as enforce a no-smoking policy in restaurants, lounges, public places, retail establishments and most work sites.
The law would also answer the pleas of several state towns to implement such statewide smoking legislation, said Rep. Michael Cahill (D-Beverly). A sweeping restructuring of current state laws on smoking would allow the state to support its townships in their effort to eliminate smoking from the workplace.
The legislators who support this bill are using a Harvard study that found that nonsmokers working in smoky bars had nicotine levels comparable to those of active smokers.
People who choose not to smoke should be able to enter their workplaces without having to be subjected to the same health risks as active smokers. While smokers have the right to smoke, they should not freely be allowed to jeopardize the health of other around them, especially in the workplace. Many workplaces in Massachusetts already have adopted a no-smoking policy. Why not extend this policy throughout the entire state?
While some business groups complain that the law would decrease patronage at restaurants and bars and hurt their revenue, other states including California and New York where similar legislation exists have not experienced a significant decline in business. In addition, state Department of Public Health study found that restaurants in areas that currently ban smoking have not suffered financially.
By approving this bill, the state would make a strong statement about its stance on smoking in supporting healthy, smoke-free workplaces.
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