BOSTON—In
a move that public health advocates have hailed as one of the strongest pieces
of public health policy in Massachusetts history, the Legislature passed the
Statewide Smoking Ban which would eliminate smoking in most workplaces, including
bars and restaurants.
"This is a great day
for public health in Massachusetts. A great day for the state's thousands of
service workers who are exposed to toxic tobacco smoke on a daily basis,"
said Deirdre Cummings, MASSPIRG's (Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group)
consumer program director.
The bill now goes to Governor
Romney, who has indicated he will sign the bill. The measure will go into effect
July 5, 2004.
Over 90 of the Commonwealth's
cities and towns are already smoke-free. Last year Boston became the largest
municipality to prohibit smoking in enclosed spaces. Recent communities in Massachusetts
to adopt similar policies include Cambridge, and all of the towns on Cape Cod.
California, Connecticut, Delaware, New York and even Ireland have also recently
passed similar laws.
"While some say that
bars and restaurants will lose customers because of the smoking ban, the opposite
is true," said Cummings. "In New York, where they passed a similar
ban last year, nightlife has really picked up, and bar and restaurant owners
are reaping the benefits of customers eager to frequent establishments that
are smoke-free.
According to the 2004 Zagat
New York City Restaurant Survey, New Yorkers are both eating out and spending
more than they were two years ago at the cities finest eateries. The city's
recent smoking ban, far from curbing restaurant traffic, has given it a major
lift.
