Restaurant Related News
Delaware Senate Votes to Keep Smokefree Workplace Law
Letter From Governor Ruth Ann Minner
By Joe Cherner
Published: April 8, 2003
Today, the
Delaware Senate voted 14-7 to keep Delaware's smoke-free workplace law in
place. A group of pro-tobacco legislators have introduced legislation to weaken
it. As happened years ago in California, the Delaware house passed the repeal
bill (21-19), but the Senate refused to go along.
During the course of
the debate, the following letter was sent from Delaware Governor Ruth Ann
Minner to a small but vocal group of RJR-supported smokers. A copy of the
Governor's letter (on her letterhead with signature) can be seen at
http://www.smokefreeair.org/minner.pdf
FROM
DELAWARE: GOVERNOR RUTH ANN MINNER:
Dear Members of the Delaware
United Smokers Alliance:
Thank you for your many e-mails regarding House
bill 15 [a bill to weaken Delaware's smokefree workplace law]. I always
appreciate those who take the time to communicate their views to their elected
officials.
The way members of DEUSA view the Clean Indoor
Air Act and the way I view it are obviously very different. DEUSA members view
it as an attack on civil liberties. I -- along with many, many other
Delawareans -- view it as a health issue, as well as a protection of the
freedom of those who choose not to smoke.
Democratic
governments have always recognized that there can and should be a limitation on
people's and business' behavior when that behavior affects other people --
especially other people's health and safety. Drunken driving laws, health
standards for restaurants, pollution restrictions for industry, safety
standards in manufacturing -- all these are born from an understanding that
freedom is not absolute. One shouldn't legally be able to act in a manner that
harms others.
The Clean Indoor Air Act does not deny the
ability of smokers to smoke. But smoking in public places denies the ability of
employees and their customers of those places to breathe air that is free of a
known carcinogen. It is true that cigarettes are of legal products. But alcohol
and automobiles or legal products as well, and few argue with the wisdom of
banning them from being used together in a way that is known to harm
others.
As far as the argument that the Clean Indoor Air
Act is hurting the bottom line of some businesses, we knew that would be the
case. Some businesses tell me they are actually doing better since the Act.
Long-term experience in other areas with smoking bans shows that business will
come back to those now seeing a slump. But more importantly, I can think of no
other industry where it is acceptable to make the argument that the employees'
and customers' health should be allowed to be jeopardized because it's better
for the business' bottom line. We don't allow chemical plants or oil industries
to knowingly endanger workers' health because they can make more money. I don't
believe casinos or bars or restaurants should be allowed to do
that.
Again, this is an issue where our perspectives are
different. I view it as a health issue. I survived the painful experience of
watching my husband -- a lifelong smoker -- die of lung cancer. I do not desire
to persecute those who choose to smoke, though I wish each one would give up
the habit. I would gladly give up the cigarette tax revenue the state receives
if they did because it would mean lower health care costs in the long run. But
I do feel that those who choose not to smoke should be supported in that choice
and should not endure the horrible effects of smoking -- cancer and other
health problems -- if they want to visit or work in a casino, restaurant or
bar.
This is an issue where we will likely continue to
disagree, but I thank you for expressing your opinion to me and for allowing me
to explain my position to
you.
Sincerely,
Ruth Ann
Minner
Governor