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November 21, 2006

Smoking in Bars - Ban it or Not?

I really hate being around cigarette smoke. My husband and I go out nearly every weekend and listen to live music, play pool, and do a lot of dancing – it's the highlight of our week. But there is always a down side. I choke on the smoke all night. It makes my nose run. And the next morning, my hair still reeks of smoke. I'd like to go out somewhere where smoking isn't allowed, but there isn't any such place anywhere near where I live. So I've often debated myself over the issue of where my right to a smoke-free environment ends and someone else's right to smoke in a public place begins. I have yet to resolve that inner debate.

But that doesn't stop me from privately cheering on anyone who is working to ban smoking in bars. And apparently, there is a pretty good chance that the new Democratic-controlled Oregon State Legislature will do just that. I find myself on the one hand wanting to write to them and say, "Yes, please ban smoking in bars so I can have a good time!" and on the other hand slapping myself for trying to tell other people what they can and can't do. And in the very next breath asking why their rights outweigh mine. I don't know the answer.

I have a chronic disease, sarcoidosis, which in 90% of patients ends up in their lungs – fortunately, I am not one of them (so far). My doctor tells me that dancing in a smoke-filled environment and breathing that smoke deeply into my lungs every weekend is increasing my chances of moving from the lucky 10% column into the unlucky 90% column and risking lung scarring, emphysema or worse. But I have a real passion for dancing with my husband and nowhere else to do it. So I have a personal stake in the matter that goes beyond mere comfort.

I also think about the people who work in that environment – dealing with the smoke every day. These people are 50% more likely to get lung cancer from secondhand smoke simply because of where they work – in an environment that is 1866 percent higher in air pollution than what the EPA considers "unhealthy" for outdoor air. It's easy to say they can just find a job somewhere else, but at a point we also should be asking how many nonsmokers are being put out in order to accommodate smokers? Is it fair?

Then again, what about all those older people who smoke and have no other social life besides the local pub? Is it fair to tell them to find something else to do? Like I said, I haven't figured this one out yet. Anyone want to help me?

Posted by Becky at November 21, 2006 12:38 PM