Arguement for Smoke-Free Restaurants

Nearly every Nebraskan loves a home-cooked meal. Unfortunately in our busy lives, it is often difficult to cook and serve this type of meal, so many families turn to the convenience of restaurants. Although this is a fine solution, a problem arises when restaurants allow smoking inside of their building. The effects of secondhand smoke are indeed very harmful when restaurant patrons are unintentionally exposed to it. Thus, something as widespread as eating out becomes a significant health hazard. Local factions have increasingly become involved with this issue, just as non-smoking Nebraskans can show their support by voicing disapproval. Initiating smoke-free restaurants within o

The reason for wanting smoke-free restaurants is simple. Tobacco smoke kills people, even those who choose not to smoke. Secondhand smoke is a health risk to all those who are exposed to it. Completely smoke-free restaurants will protect at least 58,000 restaurant employees, as well as the 80% of Nebraskans who choose not to light up. (Lincoln Journal Star.) The trend, after all, is moving toward smoke-free dining. States such as Maine, Vermont, Utah, California, South Dakota, Delaware and Florida have all prohibited smoking within restaurants. (AScribe Newswire.) Now it is time for Nebraska to take its turn and make our community a better place to live. Citizens can help this initiative by writing to their state senators and showing interest within local factions, such as the Group to Alleviate Smoking Pollution.

In past years the debate over smoke-free restaurants has created much controversy within the Unicameral system. At each voting session, legislatures have only been a few votes short of the 25 needed to sign the bill into law. In 2000, the first year the bill was introduced, 23 senators voted to make restaurants smoke-free. Then in 2001, the bill only received 19 of the senators votes. Because the bill was not as popular during its second debate, the committee spent time in 2002 developing a stronger argument and gaining support of the general public. Currently, the 2003 legislation has begun debating the smoke-free restaurant bill, known as LB546. (GASP of Nebraska, Lincoln Journal Star.)

Secondhand smoke knows no boundaries and as a result, it is present throughout a restaurant. It can still circulate to patrons who choose not to smoke and are seated in a non-smoking section. Restaurants have tried to deal with this concern by segregating areas and constructing separate ventilation systems within their dining room, but these systems do not alleviate all toxins. Furthermore, they do not protect the patrons who are seated in waiting areas or in the lounge or bar area. Non-smoking restaurant patrons thus begin to experience watery eyes, stuffy sinuses, and difficulty breathing while sitting in the smoky environment. (2002 Nebraska Guide to Smoke-Free Dining.) In a recent study, scientists found that after one hour in a restaurant, non-smoking patrons have directly inhaled three cigarettes' worth of smoke without even striking a match. (Ascribe Newswire.) Hence, even short exposures to secondhand smoke can increase the risk of future lung and cardiac problems in non-smokers. This is due to the fact that the c

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