Viewpoints
Smoking Ban
By Wendy Romano
July 10, 2007
Tuesday
I live in the state of Delaware where we probably have the most
comprehensive smoking ban in the country. In late 2002 the State
passed a Clean Indoor Air Act that prohibits smoking in all indoor
public places including restaurants, bars, and casinos.
As you can imagine there was quite a battle with the bar and
casino industries. They argued that this would hurt their businesses,
when in fact, gaming revenues went up 3% in the first year after
the bill was passed. In addition, employment increased in the
hospitality industry, and applications for bars and taverns went
up as well.
As a mother of three small children, it is such a relief to be
able to take our kids bowling or to restaurants and not have
to sit in a "non-smoking" section, which really just
means the "less smokey" section. More importantly,
the attitude toward smoking has changed dramatically since the
ban. There is a stigma now. Smoking has become less acceptable.
I grew up in Ketchikan and I realize that the attitude towards
smoking there is quite different than most places. I would encourage
the non-smoking community (which in Delaware is 85% of the population)
to have the courage to protect your rights, and those of your
children. You have the right to breathe clean, smoke-free air.
You should be able to enjoy the wonderfully pure, crisp air
of Alaska!
Wendy Romano
Newark< DE
Received July 06, 2007 - Published
July 10, 2007
About: "Grew up in Ketchikan,
now live in Delaware."
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