Clark County survey favors tough tobacco limits

By Emily Richmond (contact)

Friday, Sept. 28, 2001 | 9:27 a.m.

A survey of Clark County residents found overwhelming support for tougher rules on smoking in public places, especially schools, grocery stores and restaurants, health officials said this week.

The Clark County Health District commissioned the poll to get a more detailed understanding of the public's opinion on tobacco issues, spokeswoman Jennifer Sizemore said.

It is the first survey that solicits Clark County residents' opinions on second-hand smoke and public-smoking policies.

"The survey results are an affirmation that our residents support public health measures that would protect not only themselves, but workers in these establishments, from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke," said Dr. Donald Kwalick, chief health officer for Clark County.

Nevada ranked worst in the nation for providing workers with smoke-free environments, according to the National Cancer Institute. And, according to the American Lung Association, Nevada has the most adult smokers and the highest rate of asthma, in the nation.

An estimated 3,000 nonsmokers die each year nationwide as a result of second-hand smoke, the lung association reports. In Clark County last year, according to the Health District, 396 deaths were related to environmental tobacco smoke.

The telephone poll was conducted by the Gallup Organization, and of the more than 1,000 adult Clark County residents surveyed, 90 percent said smoking should be banned on school property.

In addition, 85 percent supported banning smoking in grocery stores, and 79 percent said smoking should be banned in convenience stores.

Of the smokers polled, about 290 people, 85 approved of banning smoking at schools; the same number said they would support smoke-free grocery stores. Smokers polled overwhelming supported a ban on smoking in convenience stores, with 72 percent in favor.

Questions about smoking in restaurants resulted in the largest differences in opinion between those who smoke and those who don't. More than two-thirds of the adults polled supported a ban on smoking in indoor restaurants. Just 40 percent of smokers polled would support such a ban.

For Cindy Zeedyk, who manages Mustang Sally's Diner on Gibson Road in Henderson, the benefits of a smoke-free environment are unmistakable.

"It's been great not to have to work in all that smoke," Zeedyk said. "It makes a huge difference in my day."

There have been instances in which customers have left after being told they could not light up, Zeedyk said. But the overwhelming number of patrons are pleased with the ban, she said.

"Customers come in and ask for the nonsmoking section," Zeedyk said. "When we tell them the whole place is the nonsmoking section, they are very enthusiastic."

John Kukulica, chairman of the Nevada Restaurant Association and a former smoker, said he would support a ban on smoking in indoor restaurants, provided the new rules apply to the entire state.

"I wouldn't want to see restaurants in one county suffer while another benefitted," Kukulica said.

The Health District has started a program designed to encourage businesses to implement smoke-free policies, said Nicole Bungum, program manager for the Health District.

As part of the campaign, the health district has printed up stickers that can be attached to a restaurant bill.

"Please go smoke free ... I would dine at your restaurant more often," the sticker reads.

A list of smoke-free restaurants can be found online (www.cchd.org). For more information, contact the Clark County Health District Tobacco Control Program at 383-1217.