Bill Bans Smoking While Eating Throughout State
by Ashley Marks / WRITER
21 months ago | 2162 views | 7 7 comments | 7 7 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Although Auburn may be largely smoke-free, most of Alabama is not.

However, a bill proposed by Sen. Vivian Figures aimed at banning smoking in restaurants statewide passed 19-3 April 6 in the Alabama Senate.

An Auburn City Ordinance banning smoking in public places passed in 2003.

“Citizens came and spoke to the city council and essentially asked for this (smoking ban) to be done,” said David Dorton, director of public affairs for the Auburn City Council.

When the ordinance was put into action, some questioned if revenue would fall. Dorton said it didn’t.

“Most everyone in is happy with the ordinance,” Dorton said.

Ginny Campbell, government relations director for the American Cancer Society, supports Auburn’s ordinance.

“We always use Auburn as a great example of how a smoke-free ordinance works,” Campbell said. “Here is a huge University that has smoke-free bars, so Auburn is just such a great example of how this thing really works.”

However, the ACS does not support Figures’ bill because it only bans smoking in restaurants.

“The Cancer Society does not support any bills that are not comprehensive, meaning the ban of smoking in restaurants, bars and all work places,” Campbell said. “This bill only bans smoking in restaurants, and that’s not even including restaurants with bars in them, and this law would be really hard to enforce.”

Campbell said she is disappointed with the new bill and doesn’t think it will make any difference.

“This new law doesn’t really do anything that restaurants already do,” Campbell said. “Many restaurants have already chosen to go smoke-free.”

There is no filter for second-hand smoke, which is what makes it so dangerous. Restaurant second-hand smoke is not the most dangerous kind, Campbell said.

“What we’re really missing is the amount of second-hand smoke being consumed in workplaces and in bars,” Campbell said. “That’s where the real problem is.”

Second hand smoke has been linked to cancer, which is why Campbell and the Cancer Society find it so vital to make smoking ban bills inclusive.
Comments
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genebb
|
April 26, 2010
Sorry, Snowbird, we all know you'd rather every little restaurant in the entire country go bankrupt buying, installing and painstakingly maintaining your expensive ventilation systems--all to stave off taking the simple step of just plain banning smoking.

The kicker is all the fools who believe you, and install your systems so they can get a leg up against their less well-off competitors--and then it's discovered that in practice they really don't work, and new, tighter legislation is passed, obviating all their expense.

Boy do they scream at their wasted money!
Bushmaster556
|
April 23, 2010
Gee, I wish I had a dime for every industry that had a conspiracy going on...
snowbird
|
April 22, 2010
Sorry Genebb

I post for the compatible non-smokers on this forum:)
snowbird
|
April 22, 2010


Anti-smokers twist the truth big time. We can put a man on the moon but can't come up with adequate ventilation in an indoor space that allows smoking? Give me a break! This is about big pharma pushing nicotine cessation products. The real truth will come out eventually.



snowbird
|
April 22, 2010
If negative ventilation is good enough

for operating rooms in hospitals, why isn't it good enough for the hospitality industry??
genebb
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April 22, 2010
There are absolutely no scientific studies showing any degree of decency in Canadian spammers who invade Alabama and hijack its message boards to push their ventilation systems.

Google "laprade."
snowbird
|
April 22, 2010


There are absolutely no scientific studies showing any degree of long term

harm from exposure to the levels of smoke one would normally encounter in a

decently ventilated modern bar or restaurant environment."

As noted by Michael J. McFadden,The Author of "Dissecting Antismokers'

Brains"

Thomas Laprade

Thunder Bay, Ont.

Ph. 807 3457258

http://thetruthisalie.com