State considers smoking bans
ISSUE: 02/28/07 > news > state considers smoking bans
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More and more restaurants and bars are moving from smoking sections to totally non-smoking establishments. |
New efforts to “just say no” to tobacco are facing hurdles in Tennessee, as opposing camps square off on state government efforts to limit smoking and triple the cigarette tax.
The largest impact of the legislative bills, if passed, would come in the form of two statewide smoking bans, one affecting restaurants that serve patrons younger than 18 and the second focusing on smoking in public places and workplaces. Another move to reduce smoking came last week from Gov. Phil Bredesen, who included an increase in the state tax on cigarettes from 20 cents to 60 cents per pack in his proposed state budget.
Leigh Sullivan, a junior music business major, said these efforts to reduce smoking are not a bad idea, especially with the dangers of secondhand smoke.
“And particularly with kids, not letting them get used to it, and maybe causing addiction,” she said. “I can see the other side, people can get addicted, and might need an outlet. But overall I just think it’s a better, healthier environment.”
The main rationale for smoking bans is to protect workers and citizens from heart disease, cancer and respiratory illnesses and other acute diseases that scores of studies show definitively come from exposure to secondhand smoke. Studies examined by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids estimates from 910-1610 annual deaths in Tennessee from secondhand smoke and 9,600 adult deaths from their own smoking.
Statistics that have been tallied in states that already have high cigarette taxes show that the price increases per pack reduce the number of people who start smoking and increase the number who quit. Tennessee’s current 20-cent tax on a pack of cigarettes is 48th among the 50 states, or one-fifth of the $1 per pack average. Tobacco-Free Kids estimates that every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes will reduce youth smoking by about 7 percent and overall cigarette consumption by about 4percent.
“I can understand the smoker’s point of view, especially given addictive behavior,” Dr. Andrea Stepnick, chair of the sociology department at Belmont, said.
“But workers in establishments where there’s smoking have a right to be protected. Science has pointed out the dangers and societal costs of smoking, and has shown that a smoking ban would be practical in the same way that seat belts have proven effective. It’s also about the state protecting itself from the cost of risky behavior.”
The current anti-smoking legislation being proposed for the state is not the first. In 1994, a law was passed that was billed in an attempt to keep tobacco away from children and teenagers. The law also barred local governments from regulating tobacco use more than the state does. Last year, Governor Phil Bredesen signed a bill into law that prohibits smoking in state buildings. The proposed anti-smoking legislation would also empower local governments to pass anti-smoking laws specific to their areas.
With the increase in awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke and the subsequent laws reducing opportunities for smoking, resistance to smoking bans has not been of great note. A number of dining establishments in Nashville that serve alcohol and typically have customers who prefer to smoke when they drink have already implemented non-smoking regulations at their facilities, many with little negative effect.
“I can understand why people don’t like smoking in restaurants,” Jackson Albracht, freshman commercial music major, said. “The smoking section is right by the non-smoking section. I do think it should be allowed at 18 and over shows, however. That’s a time when I do like to smoke.”
Another smoker, Evan Smith, also a freshman music business major, said, “I understand the health issue and the reasons for the ban. It’s not something I’d be up in arms about.”
Establishments that only serve alcohol have voiced a greater concern over the loss of revenue by smoking bans than food-service businesses. Proposed legislation is not directed toward these establishments, allowing those who smoke when consuming alcohol to continue.
In the last three months, Belmont nursing professor Ruby Dunlap has traveled to Ohio and Georgia, which already have non-smoking rules in place.
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Ads for tobacco have been taken off television and warnings have been put on cigarette packages, but there’s still an uphill battle in the United States to reduce smoking and the effects that come from it. The effort continues, however, with smoking restrictions and bans and higher tobacco taxes. Here are some facts culled from studies by government agencies and non-profits: |
“When we would eat at arestaurant and ask for non-smoking, they would say it’s all non-smoking,” Dunlap said. “From my understanding, the patrons and staff seemed to enjoy that fact.”
Tennessee, she believes, needs to join the rest of the country.
“Secondhand smoke is a well-known risk factor for many illnesses. As health professionals, we see children come in repetitively with ear infections, asthma and respiratory problems from families where there is smoking at home. It’s inescapable that the right to smoke impacts the right to stay healthy.”
Others at Belmont have diverse viewpoints on the proposed ban.
“I can understand the health issue, but why don’t they look at the dangers of alcohol?” Paula Gati of the housekeeping department said.
“It affects people in another negative way. Why only focus on cigarettes? If they do away with smoking at work, I’ll quit [smoking]. What’s the point?”
An issue not addressed by the ban was brought up by Mary Weber, Belmont’s horticulturist and landscape manager.
“I’m all for it for the health issues,” she said, citing other benefits.
“From an aesthetic standpoint, the grounds would just look so much nicer. And from a manager’s standpoint, it would be a great advantage in the use of resources. The time we spend cleaning up cigarette butts absorbs a large amount of our labor.”
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