Smokeless in Stoneham: State law bans workplace smoking
Published on July 7th, 2004
STONEHAM, MA -The ever-shrinking number of places where smokers can light up and inhale have taken one step closer to extinction after a new smoke-free workplace law went into effect last Monday.
According to the State's Department of Public Health Web site, the Massachusetts Smoke-Free Workplace Law, "prohibits smoking in workplaces in order to protect employees and the public from secondhand smoke."
The law, an Amendment to the 1988 Massachusetts Clean Indoor Air Law, prohibits smoking in workplaces including private offices, taxis, restaurants and bars - with only a few exceptions including cigar bars, smoke shops and private clubs.
"We feel like this is something that is going to make Stoneham a healthier community, and is going to benefit the non-smokers in town," said Bob Bracey, Stoneham Board of Health Agent. "It is also one more thing that the Board of Health has to be responsible for, but we feel like there aren't going to be too many compliance problems."
The law means no smoking sections in restaurants or bars, and Bracey believes the volume of required paperwork would discourage many smokeshops from attempting to obtain exemption from the statute.
According to Bracey, private clubs such as the American Legion and the Marconi Club will still allow smoking, but can't allow cigarette smoking when their halls are rented out for parties and events.
Stoneham Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Cosmo Ciccarello, a smoker for the last 50 years, said that he always smokes outdoors or in the "cellar at his house", but he believed his rights are being taken away.
"I know that smoking is a bad habit, and if I could stop I would...I've tried several times," said Ciccarello. "But if smoking isn't right then make it illegal. I feel like my rights are being taken away, when you legislate and make me go outside."
"It's not like it's marijuana or some kind of drug that's illegal," said Ciccarello. "If you don't want people to smoke, then don't allow it to be sold."
Ciccarello remarked that the government was "talking out of both sides of its mouth" when it subsidizes the cigarette industry with billions of dollars, but also "legislates against smoking."
"I always respect people that are non-smokers around me, but I feel like something is being taken away from me," said Ciccarello.
Mass Gov. Mitt Romney signed the Bill into law on Friday July 2, and state officials predicted the ban would have an immediate impact on workplaces throughout the Commonwealth.
"The indoor smoking ban signed by Governor Romney is one of the most far-reaching public health initiatives ever enacted in Massachusetts," said DPH Commissioner Christine Ferguson. "It is a victory for the public health of all Massachusetts citizens."
Department of Public Health officials also outlined a plan that will help streamline the process of making towns from Stoneham to Stockbridge devoid of secondhand smoke. Among those steps are:
*The establishment of a complaint and information line at 1-800-992-1895. People who have questions or concerns about the law or would like to file a complaint can call the line 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- A coordinated public information campaign to educate business owners, workers, and the general public about the law is under way. The campaign includes public service announcements that have appeared on local radio stations and in newspapers, fliers, and facts sheets.
- Information for business owners, including fact sheets, "no smoking" signs, and an implementation guide are available on the DPH website at www.mass.gov/dph/mtcp.
- Training and technical assistance sessions will continue to be held across the state for local boards of health, which have the primary responsibility for enforcement of the new law.
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