In addition to the evidence that secondhand smoke is deadly (nearly 4,000 chemicals are present in second hand smoke), recent polls show strong public support ( approximately 80% in Ottertail County) for smoke free bars, restaurants, and work places.
So, regardless of which side you take on the smoke-free county wide ordinance, its hard to refute the overwhelming evidence that confirms the dangers of secondhand smoke as well as the number of people who would support the ordinance.
Im glad to live in a community that is concerned about the health of citizens and workers, and I commend the commission for considering this ordinance.
I am writing today for the young people who I work with every day. I work with the youth who work in the community. Many of them work in the service industry either as a waitress, waiter, cleaner or clerk. I also work with children who have physical disabilities. All of these children have a right to be protected from danger, including second hand smoke.
Many of them do not have a choice of where to get a job or where to go out to eat, as their parents are their transportation.
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Recently, I asked some classes (about 150 students) the question, Would you like to eat, play and/or work in a place that is smoke-free 99.3% said yes. The students brought up the fact that they would like to eat before games and school events at local restaurants without having to worry about tobacco smoke or having to smell like smoke. They felt that if this doesnt go through, they will be the ones to suffer.
I am speaking for myself and many of the students I work with; it is our job as adults to protect them from things that are harmful to them. We as adults are to speak for all the children, no matter whether they are rich, poor, young, or disabled. Many of these students cant speak for themselves. It is important that when we think of this ordinance, we have all citizens in mind.
Lets think about doing the right thing. Think of the future generation and pass the smoke fee ordinance.
Cheryl Rutten
