Smoking Ban
* On Monday, the San Diego City Council will have the opportunity to take a major step forward in protecting the public from a major cancer risk: environmental tobacco smoke. On that date, the City Council will decide whether to ban smoking in shared work spaces and require restaurants to designate a minimum of 50% of their seating for nonsmokers. We strongly urge a “yes” vote.
The City Council has every reason to take action. Much of the business community, including the San Diego Restaurant Assn., is solidly behind the new law. The Environmental Protection Agency will soon be placing environmental tobacco smoke alongside asbestos, radon and benzene on the list of two dozen Class A carcinogens. Other cities have passed stronger laws banning smoking in workplaces and restaurants and have had few if any problems.
Recent data show that 20% to 25% of San Diego workers are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke on the job. This figure rises to 70% if only males with less than a high school diploma are considered. If this exposure were to asbestos or benzene, the community would mobilize to eliminate the threat. No less should be done to protect us all from the equally deadly effects of environmental tobacco smoke.
MARK NELSON
President
San Diego Chapter
American Lung Assn.
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