Gertrude Stein Democratic Club Resolution on Smoking in the National Democratic Club

Washington, DC – March 13, 2007 – The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, the largest LGBT political organization in the District passed the following resolution at its March 12th meeting:

Gertrude Stein Democratic Club Resolution on Smoking in the National Democratic Club

Whereas the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club endorsed and lobbied for the indoor smokefree workplace law, The Department of Health Functions Clarification Amendment Act of 2006; and

Whereas the law has unanimous support from Democratic members of the D.C. Council and the Mayor; and

Whereas the Democratic Leadership of the House of Representatives has prohibited smoking in the House Speaker’s Lobby; and

Whereas secondhand smoke has been proven to cause lung cancer and heart disease, and has been linked to asthma and respiratory problems. Secondhand smoke has 4,000 chemicals, more than 50 of which are carcinogens; and

Whereas the Surgeon General’s June, 2006 report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, finds that even brief secondhand smoke exposure can cause immediate harm. The report says the only way to protect nonsmokers from the dangerous chemicals in secondhand smoke is to eliminate smoking indoors; and

Whereas the law is intended to safe guard workers from the hazards of secondhand smoke and workers shouldn't have to give up a good job because of secondhand smoke; and

Whereas the National Democratic Club has applied for an exemption to the Department of Health Functions Clarification Amendment Act of 2006 as a tobacco bar; Be it resolved that:

The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club will not sponsor, co-sponsor or send a representative to any indoor venue that permits smoking, including the National Democratic Club; and