Press Release: Franklin adopts expansion of smoke free law to include bars and clubs, is Indianapolis next?
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Monday, May 4th, 2009
Contacts:Tim Filler Kristiane Silva 317.652.6483 317.962.2207 tim@timfiller.com ksilva@clarian.org
FRANKLIN ADOPTS EXPANSION OF SMOKEFREE LAW TO INCLUDE BARS and CLUBS. IS INDIANAPOLIS NEXT?
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Members of the City Council in Franklin, Indiana voted 6 to 1 tonight to expand Franklin’s smokefree workplace law to cover all workplaces, including bars and membership clubs. Franklin previously had an ordinance that protected some workers in their workplace, but did not protect others, depending on the type of workplace.
Now every worker in Franklin—even those who work in bars and clubs—will enjoy the same protection from the serious negative health consequences attributable to secondhand smoke.
By enacting the ordinance adopted tonight, Franklin joins the growing number of municipalities in Indiana and nationwide to adopt comprehensive smokefree workplace ordinances that protect workers, including those who work in bars, clubs and restaurants, among other workplaces. The new expanded ordinance is scheduled to take effect in 30 days.
Smoke Free Indy congratulates the Franklin City Council and Franklin Mayor Fred Paris for taking this important step to protect the health of all workers in Franklin. This action in Franklin hopefully will serve as a call to action to other policymakers, particularly here in Indianapolis, to protect all workers from on-the-job exposure to secondhand smoke. Workers here in Indianapolis, just like in Franklin, shouldn’t have to choose between their health or their paychecks, and everyone deserves the same protection under the law.