2008 Woodie Awards
Smoking ban would benefit patrons, restaurant owners
STAFF EDITORIAL
Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
THE USA CHAPTER of Colleges Against Cancer recently held a meeting to discuss creating a virtually smoke-free Mobile. Members of the organization feel restaurants and other public meeting areas should be smoke-free out of respect for the health of non-smokers.
Being involuntarily exposed to tobacco smoke does infringe on an individuals right to live a smoke-free lifestyle. It has been reported that secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemical compounds and 200 of these chemicals are known to be poisonous. Those who have made a personal choice to keep such toxins out of their body should have the right to be protected from the dangers of secondhand smoke inhalation.
Restaurants usually have smoking and non-smoking sections, but smoke still travels from one section to the next. People can smell it and it can be unappetizing.
Restaurants, bars and clubs worry that if a law passes in Alabama to be smoke-free, their business will start to dwindle and people will not come out anymore. However, recent surveys have shown that the majority of local restaurant owners are for a smoking ban. A city-backed smoking ban takes this controversial decision out of the restaurant owners' hands. Many of the restaurant owners who are for the ban are hesitant to go non-smoking on their own because of potential repercussions.
Having a smoke ban will help the environment of non-smokers breath easier especially those with asthma. If a smoker does have asthma it will agitate it as well. Some asthma smokers do not smoke in bars or clubs because other smokers are adding to the problem just as well.
Being involuntarily exposed to tobacco smoke does infringe on an individuals right to live a smoke-free lifestyle. It has been reported that secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemical compounds and 200 of these chemicals are known to be poisonous. Those who have made a personal choice to keep such toxins out of their body should have the right to be protected from the dangers of secondhand smoke inhalation.
Restaurants usually have smoking and non-smoking sections, but smoke still travels from one section to the next. People can smell it and it can be unappetizing.
Restaurants, bars and clubs worry that if a law passes in Alabama to be smoke-free, their business will start to dwindle and people will not come out anymore. However, recent surveys have shown that the majority of local restaurant owners are for a smoking ban. A city-backed smoking ban takes this controversial decision out of the restaurant owners' hands. Many of the restaurant owners who are for the ban are hesitant to go non-smoking on their own because of potential repercussions.
Having a smoke ban will help the environment of non-smokers breath easier especially those with asthma. If a smoker does have asthma it will agitate it as well. Some asthma smokers do not smoke in bars or clubs because other smokers are adding to the problem just as well.
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