Times Editorials : The cloudy air
Should smoking in public go away for good?
Posted: July 27, 2009 at 7:28 a.m.
FAYETTEVILLE — For smokers, a big boost in the state's cigarette tax earlier this year was bad enough. Now, the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Arkansas is callingfor an end to exemptions in the state's smoking ban.
Approximately one-third of states support outright bans on smoking in all workplaces. Currently, there are 475 businesses in the Natural State with exemptions; notably, 384 exemptions belong to bars and restaurants. Smoking is legal in such establishments if they refuse to hire or serve anyone younger than 21. Interestingly, the total number of exemptions is on the rise - and this despite the reality that the state Health Department has reportedly given not a single citation to any person or business for breaking this law since it went into effect three years ago.
With help from the Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Act, the number of young Arkansans choosing to take up smoking, as well as the number of smoking-related diseases in-state doctors are being asked to treat, are on the decline, this according to both state and federal health officials.
On this subject, Fayetteville has a proud history. In 2003, with the leadership of then-Alderman Don Marr, the City Council approved a citywide ordinance that went a long way toward removing smoking from many public places. All along, a fierce debate centered around individual rights consumed the community. Early in 2004 voters here agreed to support what was then considered a controversial matter.
Back then, Fayetteville was the exception. Today, the rest of the state has come to realize what area patrons figured out: Enjoying one's food and drink is far easier and healthier without trying to wave off the cigarette smoke drifting into your space from somewhere else. The entire dining experience has been greatly improved, but more importantly, nonsmokers are no longer forced to unwillingly participate in a bad habit.
Really, there was no good reason not to support Fayetteville's (or the state's) effort to drive smoking away from the public arena. But is the existence of the smoking ban at one level enough to make a stronger ban a shoo-in? We doubt it. There should be some businesses in which adults can make their own decisions about their health and the environment in which they work, eat or drink.
It makes sense to keep smoke out of most businesses, but when it comes to broadening the smoking ban, it's a question of knowing when to say when.
Opinion, Pages 4 on 07/27/2009
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