Alliance for Smoke-Free Workplaces

SAMPLE LETTER

Name
Address
City, State, Zip

Date

Councilman or Councilwoman ____
City Hall, Room #
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Fax #: __________ (if faxing your letter)

OR

Honorable Mayor of Philadelphia
John F. Street
City Hall, Room 215
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Fax: 215 686-2180 (if faxing your letter)

Dear Councilman _______ or Councilwoman _______ or Mayor Street:

I am writing in support of Bill No. 00314, which provides protections from environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace and other public places. This is an historic opportunity for Philadelphia City Council to help create a healthier and safer experience in Philadelphia.

Suburban residents should add comments such as: As a resident of Montgomery County who works in Philadelphia, I ….. OR As a resident of Montgomery County, I frequent Philadelphia restaurants and cultural institutions…..OR <state your experience>.

Ten reasons to support this historic legislation! Choose a few that speak to your own experience or write your own.

1. There are 4,700 chemicals in cigarette smoke, and at least 43 are known to cause cancer in humans.
2. Nonsmokers have rights too. Three out of every four people in Southeastern PA do not smoke. Nonsmokers, especially those with asthma and other respiratory problems, cannot go into a smoke filled location. On the other hand, smokers are not prevented from visiting smoke free environments.
3. For people who work in hotels and restaurants, our public places are their workplaces. They deserve to breathe the same clean air as other employees. Many of these workers are poorly paid and have no health insurance.
4. Many Philadelphia residents and visitors to the city suffer from respiratory illnesses and are unable to enjoy the fine restaurants due to secondhand smoke.
5. Restaurants and hotels will not lose business. Economic and public health studies from other cities show positive economic and health effects.
6. Many restaurant owners have confided that they want Philadelphia City Council to pass a law that protects their health and safety. Sadly, many are afraid to speak up.
7. The most prominent restaurant cities in the country have benefited from legislation that keeps the air clean for workers and the general public. These include New York City, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Maine, San Diego and Austin, Texas. Smoke-free states include California, Delaware and New York.
8. Don't believe the doomsayers who think the entire economic base of the city/region will collapse if we enact smoke-free public places and worksite legislation. After all, we didn't see a business decrease when movie theaters and airplanes went smoke free.
9. As an elected official, one of your responsibilities is to promote and protect the public health. Your courage in supporting this legislation clearly shows you take this job seriously.
10. Philadelphia has the opportunity to take the lead in Pennsylvania in promoting Smoke-free Public Places

Sincerely,

Your Name