Just a note from the southern end of the state tonight.
Handsel Art
12 July 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
contact J.R. Few
or 870-427-1365
Community Supports Smoke Free Bars.
Tobacco free activists marshaled nearly three dozen advocates to amend their city’s clean air ordinance to include bars at the El Dorado City Council meeting in Union County July 9th. Led by Pride Youth Program’s executive director Deb Crawford, the Union County Tobacco Free Coalition’s presence dwarfed a minority of pro tobacco voices.
Championing the amendment is Alderperson Vertis Mason. (pictured)
El Dorado’s smoke free ordinance was enacted in 2006 before the Arkansas’ Clean Indoor Air act. This local ordinance includes much needed buffer zones around entrances and exits. Arkansas’ Clean Indoor Air act specifically neglects protection from any smoke out of doors and adds exemptions for businesses that restrict anyone under 21.
Speaking in favor of the amendment, north Arkansas activist J.R. Few praised the Council’s foresight in correcting a flaw in Arkansas’ law because, “We do not lose the right to breathe at 21.”
Executive director for the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Arkansas, Katherine Donald, noted that the whole state is watching El Dorado set the curve for smoke free air in Arkansas. The El Dorado City Council is expected to take up a third and final reading of the amendment on July 23.
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