Letter: ‘Kudos’ to anyone who bans smoking

Thursday, Aug. 5, 1999 | 8:58 a.m.

In the same vein, "kudos" to the Gaming Commission for its effort to "wall off" smoking and gaming in future markets and drug stores. Although I'm afraid there are too many loopholes and smoke holes in this remedy for it to be effective, at least public pressure is starting to be felt, and our public image, as a state, is starting to raise some eyebrows.

Since it appears that our elected officials have been able to ignore any pressure regarding this serious public health and public image issue, maybe the time has come for them to be shoved.

To that end may I make a gentle suggestion -- that concerned citizens write, fax, e-mail, call, collar, corner, cajole and insist that these officials take one small, innocuous step toward addressing this problem. To wit:

Until they have the guts to outlaw smoking in buildings that provide essential family products and services, i.e., markets, drug stores, restaurants, etc., at least take one small step. Enact the necessary ordinances to force all (no grandfathering) of these establishments to "vent" their smoking sections.

I repeat "vent," not "spread" (as is the present practice), their tobacco smoke.

HUGH HAWKINS

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