Here in Az we passed a statewide smoking ban that was to go into effect May 1st, but there are now rumors that it is going to be repealled before it has even had a chance to start. I hope the ban sticks. Well over 80% of us Arizonans do not smoke, and many of us are excited to no longer be subjected to second hand smoke everywhere we go, especially in the workplace.
Here's a quick semi-related story.
A single mother I know, who has never smoked, has worked as a bartender in a local bar for almost 20 years. She was recently diagnosed with esophogeal (sp?) cancer. Upon her doctors advice, she decided that she should look for a job in a non-smoking atmosphere. Due to her limited skillset, the only jobs she could find that would offer pay anywhere close to what she was earning, are also in smoking environments. Due to inadequate health insurance, her savings are now depleted. So what should she do? Should she further endanger her life, and risk a cancer relapse, or should she file bankruptcy, go on wellfare, and work a min. wage job? To add insult to injury, her employer forced her to wear a button at work that was against the smoking ban proposition prior to the recent elections.
I understand not wanting the gov to interfere with small business, and I understand that people have the choice to not frequent smoking establishments for their entertainment, but there are many people who do not have much of a choice about smoking in the workplace, and they need to be protected. According to the research I have done, the only businesses who have had any long term negative effects due to a smoking ban, were on the border of the ban area, and within a few miles of an area without a ban. While this is unfair, and I really do feel for those business owners, I am still a supporter of the smoking ban.
Here's a quick semi-related story.
A single mother I know, who has never smoked, has worked as a bartender in a local bar for almost 20 years. She was recently diagnosed with esophogeal (sp?) cancer. Upon her doctors advice, she decided that she should look for a job in a non-smoking atmosphere. Due to her limited skillset, the only jobs she could find that would offer pay anywhere close to what she was earning, are also in smoking environments. Due to inadequate health insurance, her savings are now depleted. So what should she do? Should she further endanger her life, and risk a cancer relapse, or should she file bankruptcy, go on wellfare, and work a min. wage job? To add insult to injury, her employer forced her to wear a button at work that was against the smoking ban proposition prior to the recent elections.
I understand not wanting the gov to interfere with small business, and I understand that people have the choice to not frequent smoking establishments for their entertainment, but there are many people who do not have much of a choice about smoking in the workplace, and they need to be protected. According to the research I have done, the only businesses who have had any long term negative effects due to a smoking ban, were on the border of the ban area, and within a few miles of an area without a ban. While this is unfair, and I really do feel for those business owners, I am still a supporter of the smoking ban.
if you read some of their responses to these anti smoking laws and the post about them you would think someone wanted to take their first child away instead of their abstaining for a hour or two from killing themselves so others may stay healthy!!!! 
