Exposure to Tobacco Smoke

Thank you for your strong editorial (Jan. 7) on behalf of smoking restrictions in the workplace. I am hopeful that, now that the EPA has finally acknowledged the damage done by passive exposure to tobacco smoke, employers will find the courage to act on behalf of employee health by prohibiting smoking in the workplace.

Some employers, of course, have already taken this action. Mine, the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, has left it to individual school sites to decide whether or not to become smoke-free. Employees at the board of education (where, ironically, the health office is located across the hall from the smokers’ lounge) have not volunteered to take this step.

I certainly hope that AB 13 passes. Thank you for your support of this important health promotion effort.

KATHARINE R. DREYFUSS

School Nurse, Santa Monica