To the editor:
The news of late regarding the upcoming smoking ban decision has compelled me to write. I attended the meeting that was held in New York Mills and I felt that it was very well run. Both sides of the issue were well represented and the concerns were clearly stated.
I would like to say that when we speak of violating ones rights, I feel the nonsmokers rights have been violated right along. Since there are more nonsmokers than smokers, I look at the smoking establishments as exclusive clubs, keeping out those people who want to breathe clean air. The argument is held that smoking is legal. This may be true, but polluting the air of nonsmokers should not be legal. What nonsmoker wishes to patronize a smoke-filled area only to choke and sputter and come out reeking?
It has been stated that there have been no deaths due to secondhand smoke. Just because the death certificate doesnt state death due to secondhand smoke doesnt mean death wasnt caused by asthma or some other related disease that was intensified by smoking.
Bar owners worry that their livelihood will suffer. This is understandable, but has not been proven to be true. There are many people who would frequent places if they were smoke-free. Of course, the ideal situation would be for the whole state to have a ban, and I think this will eventually happen, because Minnesota likes to be in the forefront of health and safety. California is doing well with their ban and Im certain there are still smokers in their great state.
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I tell my sixth graders that if they want to become millionaires, they might think of a positive use for tobacco - a source of energy, perhaps? Then the tobacco growers could remain happy and the tobacco lobbyists could focus their time on more positive things than keeping folks addicted. Students learn in Health and in D.A.R.E. that it is easy to become addicted, but very difficult to quit smoking. Remember when smoking used to be called just a bad habit?
The time has come to not just keep the status quo, but to do whats right for the future of our county and our state. Clean air is precious - lets preserve it and vote for the ordinance.
Ruth Koehler
New York Mills
