Nonsmokers' right to fresh air matter more than smokers' rights
Nov 7, 2006, 17:45
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Valparaiso officials are discussing an idea that would make everyone breathe easier. They're thinking about banning smoking in public places. This is not a novel idea. On March 1, Indianapolis banned smoking in government centers, health care and licensed child care facilities, and laundries. Bloomington and several other Indiana communities have already done so, but so far none in Northwest Indiana has taken that step. Valparaiso's discussion of the idea began last fall when the City Council was trying to determine who to recommend for the new liquor licenses allocated to the city. Banning smoking is in keeping with Mayor Jon Costas' Fit City initiative and Gov. Mitch Daniels' INShape Indiana program. Hoosiers must become healthier, and that includes reducing their exposure to tobacco smoke. Secondhand smoke can aggravate or cause all sorts of health problems, including asthma and other respiratory problems and chronic middle ear infections. The American Lung Association says secondhand smoke kills 38,000 Americans a year. The association gave Indiana an "F" for smokefree air on its annual report card this year. Ensuring that public places are accessible to everyone would seem to require restrictions on pollution -- including tobacco fumes -- at those sites. Customers and staff should not have to be subjected to smoke. There should be exceptions, of course. Tobacco shops need not be smoke-free, and places that encourage smoking -- such as cigar bars -- can be accommodated. But for mainstream restaurants, providing a smoking section is a hassle that could be eliminated by an outright ban. And in many cases, the nonsmoking sections include only tables, not restrooms and other common areas. And unless there is a partition, air travels freely throughout the restaurant, spreading the contaminants everywhere. Plus nonsmokers would no longer be subjected to waiting for a table when one is obviously available in another section of the restaurant. Smokers would not lose their ability to smoke in the privacy of their own homes and cars. No one is denying them that right. They simply would no longer make people around them in public places become passive smokers. Nonsmokers' rights -- including their health -- trump that of smokers. Valparaiso should enact this proposed ban, and other communities should follow suit. Your opinion, please Should smoking be banned in public places?
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