Concord Senator Mark DeSaulnier introduces smoke-free workplace bill

Publication Date: 2011-02-18

• Author:CLAYCORD.com
• Publication:In Contra Costa Blog

Senate Bill 575, which was introduced by Senator Mark DeSaulnier, would close loopholes in a California Law that exposes workers to second hand smoke.

The following information is from Senator DeSaulnier's Office:

While once the leader in protecting workers from the toxic effects of secondhand smoke, California has fallen far behind. This is due to the exemptions and loopholes in California's Smoke-Free Workplace law. Because of these loopholes thousands of California workers and patrons of certain businesses continue to be exposed to secondhand smoke. To protect those workers and patrons, Senator Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) today introduced SB 575 to eliminate loopholes in the state's Smoke-Free Workplace law.

"California workers should not be exposed to secondhand smoke and the health risks associated with it," said DeSaulnier. "They go to work to earn an honest day's pay for an honest day's work, not to breathe in carcinogens. It is time to bring California's once-groundbreaking Smoke-Free Workplace law into the 21st Century."

"Californians are rightfully proud of the fact that we led the effort to make workplaces smoke-free so they are surprised to learn that the states that followed in our footsteps have now lapped us in providing stronger protections for workers," said Alecia Sanchez, Director of State Legislative Advocacy, American Cancer Society, California Division. "Twenty-four states have received the 100% smoke-free designation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sadly, California is not among them. This bill will correct that."