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Editorials Land Use |
Editorial Entitled "Read
My Lips..." No one in city government is about to ban smoking in Kerrville. And no councilperson is proposing to do so. During the recent council discussion on smoking, no action was legally possible since it was listed on the agenda solely for discussion purposes. When I introduced this topic, I explained my motives, and they were recorded for anyone who desires to listen. I believed, and still do, that smoking in restaurants should be addressed within our comprehensive plan as a health issue. Non-smokers, and especially allergy sufferers, should be protected from the secondary smoke of tobacco consumers. This is a very complex issue. There are those who believe all smoking in public places should be banned immediately, since the health of smokers and non-smokers alike are damaged. They believe that dining establishments which post smoking and non-smoking signs on opposite walls of the same room are not adequately protecting their non-smoking patrons. On the other side of the issue are those who defend the legal right of smokers to "indulge" and argue that there is not overwhelming evidence of the adverse effects of smoking. They also posit that non-smokers can opt not to patronize businesses where smoking occurs. Finding consensus between two such polarized perspectives is difficult. Adding to the complexity of this issue is the legitimate concern of restauranteers that their businesses would be economically crippled by a smoking ban. Why is this an "all or nothing" proposition? Why not seek an accommodation which would protect the rights of both sides? I would propose that existing restaurants be grandfathered and that all future dining establishments be mandated by law to have separate rooms for smokers and non-smokers. That is, interior walls and separate ventilation systems would be required. Such a plan would resolve the issue over time, defend smokers' rights, and protect non-smokers from secondary smoke. This seems to be a reasonable compromise, in my opinion. The time to seek local consensus is now. While national tobacco companies and restaurant associations prepare for "war" with lung, heart, and cancer associations over this issue, would not a locally generated consensus be a wiser solution than another nationally imposed decision? Lyndon Johnson often quoted the biblical passage "come and let us reason together." Isn't it about time for Kerrville to do so on this issue?
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