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The D.C. Council today granted preliminary approval to legislation that prohibits smoking in restaurant dining areas in January 2006. With few exceptions, all restaurants, bars, and other places of employment will be smoke free by January 2007.
Bill 16-293, the "Department of Health Functions Clarification Act of 2005", authorizes the Department of Health to inspect all places of employment and enclosed public places to ensure that smoking is prohibited. Upon enactment, the bill will prohibit smoking in all places of employment and enclosed public places except clubs, nightclubs, taverns, and restaurant bars. Those venues will be subject to the ban on January 1, 2007. Smoking will be allowed in cigar bars, outdoor dining areas, hotel rooms, retail tobacco outlets, and certain medical treatment or research institutions even after January 1, 2007. Waivers may be granted to bars, clubs, and restaurants after demonstrating a significant negative impact to their business. Waiver requirements are stricter than New York City, which provides the model for such exemptions. Catania also introduced a Sense of the Council Resolution supported by a majority of the Council that calls on the Mayor and Major League Baseball to invite an advocate of D.C. Voting Rights to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Washington Nationals' inaugural regular season home game on April 14, 2005. That measure also encouraged the team to place a patch on uniforms that signifies the District's lack of voting representation in the U.S. Congress. For more information, please contact the Office of Councilmember David Catania by calling 202-724-7772. Summary of D.C. Smoking Ban Legislation, As approved by D.C. Council, 12/06/2005 Bill 16-293, As approved by D.C. Council, 12/06/2005 |
