It's Always a Good Day to Lobby at the State Capitol--Holding our Breath for Smoke-Free Air

Our state is debating a Statewide Smoke-Free Workplaces bill. And, okay, I didn't actually speak at the Assembly Public Hearing this morning. My sister and I were there mostly to show support for the issue and to become more familiar with how the whole process works. It was nice to see the room so full of supporters of this bill. It made me so grateful to live in a country where everyone has the freedom to share their thoughts and to state their opinion. Obviously I don't agree with everything everyone said, but there were some very valid points made on both sides of the issue.

My take: Our state is facing one of the most important public health issues of our day--and I'm not referring to swine flu. The fact of the matter is that smoking remains the number one preventable cause of death. According to our state's Department of Public Health, over 8,000 people die in our state each year due to tobacco-related causes. We pay over $3 BILLION ANNUALLY in our state in tobacco-related health-care and lost productivity.

Our state is a wonderful place to live, in so many ways. Excellent education, beautiful, and most importantly, WONDERFUL people! But I am not the only who's commented that upon moving here we about died when we went into a restaurant and smoking was still allowed! It felt like I had walked back into a 3rd world country!

One acquaintance mentioned that it should be the business's decision--that government had too much control already. I have to agree that there has been more government intervention lately than I care to see. But this is not a liberal or conservative issue. This is a Public Health Issue. People DIE because of this. And fine, if people want to smoke in their own personal space, I think that is a dumb choice, but it's their choice. What is NOT okay is for innocent people to have to breathe those toxins.

It makes sense for all workers to be protected from unwanted second-hand smoke and to be able to enjoy a long healthy life. If people work in the hospitality sector, especially in today's economic climate, people should not have to choose between food on the table today and good health in the future. Additionally, most workers in the restaurant/entertainment/

hospitality industry cannot afford good health insurance. We all want to lower the cost of healthcare, yet taxpayers are often helping to foot the bill for those whose health has been compromised through smoke exposure.

Interesting Notes from the Hearing:

A young woman spoke of being diagnosed with lung cancer at age 30. Although she never smoked a day in her life, she spent 20 years living with 2 parents who smoked, and another 10 being careless about breathing in second-hand smoke of friends. She and her physician attribute her cancer to second-hand smoke. She spoke about her difficult cancer treatment with 2 young children, and a husband struggling to support her financially and medically.

A tavern owner, unaffiliated with the Tavern League and siding against them in this debate, amused us all by looking around the room and asking where were the 5,000 tavern owners who were concerned about losing their livelihood, and suggesting that if the only thing a bar has going for it is the fact people can smoke there, that they ought to get into a different business anyway. I can't convey nearly as well his entertainment value, but he was great. The room was filled with smiles and laughter, except for a grisly woman sitting near us who slumped in her seat, scowled at everyone and yelled, "Shut up!" Not a happy looking tavern-owner. But at least the baliff didn't hear her, otherwise her day might have gotten even worse.

One young dude owned a huka bar (however you spell it--some kind of special pipe-smoking place), and he was worried about being put out of business because 70% of his business is selling and allowing people to smoke tobacco in his "cool" pipes. He sells softdrinks, but no other food or alcohol item. He was asking for a special exemption. Granted, I don't agree with his line of work. But I can see his point. Smoking IS legal. And I guess anyone who is going into a tobacco-based establishment is going to be accepting of tobacco smoke. I agree, he should have an exemption.

**The latest update I saw, as of 5 hours ago, looks like there have been some serious discussions and some compromises, and I'm very hopeful that it will pass. At this point, taverns will have over a year to comply. Restaurants and other establishments will make the transition 90 days from the bill becoming law. Tobacco stores and bars would be exempt. I think this is all great! I would be super happy with these compromises!! I really hope it passes next week!