MEDIA ADVISORY – Whelan To Hold News Conference With MADD On Ignition Interlock Bill

WEST ORANGE – Senator Loretta Weinberg, a sponsor of the new Smoke-Free Air Act, issued the following comments in conjunction with its enactment today by Governor Richard J. Codey who signed S-1926/A-3424:

“This (day) has been a long time in coming and we advocates for the smoking ban, as well as all residents in New Jersey, owe a great deal of gratitude to Governor Codey for getting it done.

TRENTON – Senator John H. Adler, the prime sponsor of the smoke-free law set to take effect next month, said its legal challenge today by a group of disgruntled restaurant and bar owners is a “grotesque misfire which can only lead to more cancer, heart disease, human suffering and death” by second-hand smoke.

“It’s pathetic that these restaurant and bar owners have the gall to try and keep poisoning the bodies of their workers and customers,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “They should take the money they’re spending on lawyers and lobbyists and put it into health care for their workers.”

TRENTON – Senator John H. Adler, D-Cherry Hill, a prime sponsor of Ricci’s Law, which would require all convicted drunk drivers to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles, issued the following statement in support of a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) news conference on the Statehouse steps, calling for action on the bill:

“Last year in New Jersey, nearly 200 people were killed by drunk drivers. Many of those deaths involved repeat drunk-driving offenders, some of whom were in violation of license and registration suspensions handed down at the time of their DUI conviction.

TRENTON – At a news conference today with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Senator Jim Whelan credited the family of Richard “Ricci” Branca, who was just 17 when killed by a drunk driver, for advocating mandatory use of ignition interlocks to block vehicles from starting unless the driver is sober.

Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic, is the co-prime sponsor along with Senator John H. Adler, D-Camden, of S-1926, known as “Ricci’s Law,” to make ignition interlock devices mandatory for all drunk driving offenses and to require their installation while driving privileges are suspended.

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan named “Ricci’s Law,” which would require certain first, second and subsequent offenders under the State’s driving while intoxicated laws to install an ignition interlock device, was approved by the Assembly today by a vote of 67-3, with 5 abstentions, with final legislative approval pending in the Senate later today.

“Ignition interlock is a major tool in reducing DUI recidivism and making New Jersey’s roads safer for everybody,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic. “Research has shown that drunken drivers often exhibit among the highest recidivism rates of any motor vehicle offense, particularly because when they get away with it once without incident, they are more likely to tempt fate again. For drivers who have already shown a lack of good judgment in driving drunk, we need mandatory ignition interlock legislation to make sure that they don’t get behind the wheel while impaired again.”

TRENTON – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, issued the following comments regarding the Committee’s approval today, by a vote of 7-0 with 1 abstention, on the “New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act,” which would restrict smoking in nearly all indoor workplaces, including casinos and restaurants:

“Today, we took a significant step forward in the fight for cleaner air in New Jersey. By approving the ‘Smoke-Free Air Act,’ my Committee has taken a stand, passing a bill which would spare New Jerseyans the health risks associated with inhaling second-hand smoke.

CHERRY HILL – At a news conference at Ponzio’s Diner, Senator John H. Adler touted the State’s new indoor smoking ban, which will go into effect on Saturday, April 15th, as a “life-saving measure that will vastly improve dining in the Garden State.”

“I strongly believe that restaurant owners are going to realize the smoking ban is the best thing to happen to dining in the Garden State,” said Senator Adler, the main sponsor of the smoking ban in the Senate. “Families will be able to enjoy their meals without suffering the health risks of breathing in second-hand smoke, and workers will miss fewer days due to smoke-related illnesses. Some restaurant owners have already embraced it, and we’re hoping to bring more people in as we see the successes of the smoking ban.”

TRENTON – The Senate today approved a bill, sponsored by Senator John H. Adler, to ban smoking in bars, restaurants and in all indoor places except casino gaming floors.

“This is the most important public act this Legislature may ever take,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “This bill will save thousands of lives.”

TRENTON – Senator John H. Adler today said his bill, S-1926, to require restaurants and other public places to be smoke free is “the single most important proposal to promote health in my legislative career.”

Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill, said, “This measure will save lives. This law will prevent chronic illnesses and avoid tragedy for many thousands of families.”

CHERRY HILL – Senator John H. Adler will promote the start of the indoor smoking- ban by announcing the “Countdown to Clean Air” at Ponzio’s Restaurant on Thursday, April 13.

The indoor smoking ban starts on Saturday, April 15th, and will prohibit smoking inside any public building. Chris Fifis, one of the owners of the family run restaurant, will be on hand to discuss the importance of having healthy employees and how the ban will affect business. Wait staff and late morning regulars will also be on hand to talk about how the indoor smoking ban with affect them. Jennifer Sullivan from the American Cancer Society and representatives from the American Heart Association will also be in attendance.

WEST ORANGE – Senator John H. Adler, a prime sponsor of S-1926/A-3424, made the following comments about the landmark legislation which was signed into law today by Governor Richard J. Codey.

“This is the most important bill I will ever sponsor. It will save thousands of lives every year.

“When the smoke clears over this bill, people will know their children are breathing healthier air.

TRENTON – Senator Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, issued the following statement regarding today’s news conference with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in support of his legislation – known as Ricci’s law – which would require first-time drunk drivers to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles:

“In July of 2006, Ricci Branca, a 17-year-old young man from Egg Harbor Township, was doing things that kids do during the summertime – enjoying time off from school and hanging out with his friends. He was a good kid who brought a lot of joy to his friends and family and had his whole life ahead of him.

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – A bill sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan named “Ricci’s Law,” which will require certain first, second and subsequent offenders under the State’s driving while intoxicated laws to install an ignition interlock device, was signed into law yesterday by Acting Governor Steve Sweeney at the home of Richard and Sherri Branca, whose son, Ricci – the inspiration for the legislation – was killed by a drunk driver in 2006.

“Ignition interlock devices represent one of our best tools in cutting down on the high rate of recidivism among DUI offenders,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic. “These systems have a proven track record of discouraging drivers who are drunk from getting behind the wheel. Through this new law, we will hopefully be able to keep more drunken drivers off our roadways, and make our streets safer for New Jersey’s law-abiding citizens.”