Smoke-free policy would protect community from secondhand smoke
In response to the Aug. 28 staff editorial, “University’s endorsement of county smoking ban further limits student smokers’ options,” a comprehensive smoke-free policy is the simplest and most effective way to protect our University community from the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure.
If the St. Louis County clean-air legislation were to pass, it would not interfere with the legal rights or the ability of students to smoke. Over 64 percent of the U.S. population lives in a place with smoke-free restaurants, and over 300 colleges and universities have smoke-free campuses. Smokers are not the victims. To smoke or not is still a choice afforded to all students. The staff writer misses the point when it comes to clean-air legislation. It is not about the infringement of smokers’ rights, but the protection of the rights of workers and nonsmokers to healthfully inhabit the same space.
Washington University’s administration clearly recognizes that smoking is an addiction, not a fad. They therefore want to create an environment, both on campus and off, that is as innoxious as possible. There is significant evidence that smoke-free ordinances result in decreased smoking in adults, including among college-aged students.
As an out-of-state undergraduate student, I was often happily unaware of the goings-on in the St. Louis and Missouri political scene, as I suspect many students still are. Whether or not students choose to take notice, Wash. U. occupies a weighty role in the St. Louis region. As an employer of 15,000 people, an educator of 13,000 and partner to the largest health care provider in the area, Wash. U.’s support of the clean-air ordinance is both commendable and crucial. Political inertia in St. Louis runs deep. Leadership from the University is important to help St. Louis catch up with the rest of the country. We are all better served when the University works to advance progressive policies that promote the health and well-being of everyone in the University and St. Louis communities.
When voting this November, consider your peers and those in your community who don’t have a choice when it comes to secondhand smoke exposure. Everyone deserves the right to breathe clean air.
Smoking bans in indoor public places were recently shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks in the affected areas: by 17% in the first year, and 26% thereafter (source: the journal Circulation and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology). There are numerous studies suggesting that second hand smoke causes increases in medical problems, and exacerbates them in already affected individuals.
To clarify the ballot measure’s stance: Only bars that make more than 75% of their revenue from alcohol would be exempt. By doing some research into this in the county records, it turns out that of ~750 locations with alcohol licenses in St. Louis County, only about 60 would qualify for an exemption. So, for more than 90% of the establishments in the county, this bans smoking indoors.
While indoor smoke is usually a minor annoyance and minor health issue for many of us, the people working in these restaurants would disagree, being subjected to the ill effects of secondhand smoke for 6-8 hours at a time. Some of these people are under 18 and cannot vote for or against this ban. We need to vote yes on this ban to protect them and others. Given the government’s (and our own) interest in controlling health care costs, this is one small but significant step we can take in the positive direction. Thanks for listening, and please, if you’re registered to vote in st. louis county, vote yes on this measure on November 3rd. Also: please check out the new facebook site for “Saint Louis Clean Air”, as well as the Twitter feed.
Smoking is a act of liberty and freedom of choice, as is walking away from a smoker to breathe fresh air.
College is also an expression of one’s freedom of choice.
Smoking and college students just go hand-in-hand. It’s an historic relationship. If you don’t like the smoke, just walk away. Is nothing sacred?
We’re adults: I think we can handle our own decisions and express our needs. If you want to walk away, do so. If you want to ask a smoker to put out his/her cigarette, do so. Why does the University need to dictate one’s day-to-day actions? Why can’t we take responsibility for our own happiness and well-being, be we the smoker, the prudent or the ambivalent?
Be careful of the fine print on the ballot. The tax exempt American Cancer Society tricked the voters of Ohio into voting for a ban with exemptions, only to have them removed AFTER they were voter approved. If they got away with it once, you know they will do it again. Thank you American Cancer Society, we never knew all you do. The private vets clubs of Ohio who thought they were exempt according to the ballot learned what they do. I’m sure they are remembering them with with their donations and estate plans.
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/04/30/smoking.html
This writer is misinformed. If you read the story that came out a couple days ago, it sais the university wanted the ban to go on the ballot but it would prefer to leave the decision up to voters ultimately.
Also the ban wont apply to bars and casinos but you say it’s a comprehensive ban.
Check your facts please!