Advocate should support statewide smoking ban
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Editor, the Advocate:
I am saddened by the reluctance of the Advocate to understand the urgent need for a statewide smoking ban in public businesses.
As a physician, I see firsthand the hazardous effects of tobacco on adults, children and pregnant women.
The damage done to the body of a smoker is simply astounding.
Texas has a long tradition of passing laws that protect its citizens.
Private-business owners must have unchained fire exits, restaurant owners need to keep food fresh and free of insects and workplaces must be safe and accessible.
I have heard no hue and cry from restaurant or bar owners objecting to health department regulations. They clearly impose expense and control over a private business. Why shouldn't restaurants be allowed to have whatever conditions they desire for their food preparation and leave the consumption decision to the customer?
The answer is clear.
It is incumbent upon our society to create an infrastructure that is as safe as possible for our citizens while being sensitive to personal liberty. This is a tricky balancing act that goes on constantly in a complex culture.
The state needs to provide the same protections against the dangerous effects of tobacco smoke.
Smoking-related illnesses kill about 24,000 Texas adults every year.
More Texans die from smoking related illnesses than from AIDS, heroin, cocaine, alcohol, car accidents, fire and murder - combined.
Nationally we lose more than 400,000 Americans each year to this profitable killer. That's more Americans lost to the greed of tobacco companies every 18 months than have died in all the wars we've ever fought as a nation.
We must support a smoking ban now if we feel even a slight hint of societal responsibility.
Philip Suarez, MD
Victoria
Comments
His margins are shrinking, he needs all of his patients to live to be a ripe old age.
April 24, 2009 at 6:32 p.m.If the State is able to pass a state-wide ban on smoking in all public buildings, it will NOT change much of anything. Already, many cities have adopted a no-smoking ordinance, including Victoria. Business owners didn't like it much, but it hasn't HURT smokers or owners of resturants. I am a smoker (trying to quit) and I have to say that it's great going to a resturant and not having to wait for a table in the "smoking" section. The resturant smells like food instead of a stale ashtray, so what's to gripe about. Banning smoking in public places won't make those addicted stop smoking. Even if the state were to criminalize it, which as things stand now, it's coming to that --- those who are addicted to tobacco won't give it up.
Dr. Suarez, as a physcian, I would have thought that you'd understand that nicotine is as addictive as any narcotic and harder to overcome. You should have also stated that more health care professionals abuse tobacco than any other professionals. Also, Dr. Suarez, you should point out that smoking isn't the only reason for the increased incidents in lung disease --- that could also be environmental.... what with all the chemical plants around, the methane gas eating away at the ozone layer, asbestos, .... it's a wonder everyone isn't asthmatic or suffer from COPD or emphezema.
Ideally, all you non-smokers want to reform those of us who indulge. You'd like to see a smoke free world.... Then you'll outlaw McDonalds and shun all overweight people, deny them jobs or health care.... All the skinny people will want the fat ones to diet so that they don't have to look at our fat a$$e$.... Then, it'll be something else.... the drinkers, the nose pickers.....
Maybe George Orwell's "1984" should go back on the required reading list.... BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING!!!
Oh, and Dr. Suarez, I don't believe that cigarette smoking kills more people than drunk driving!
April 24, 2009 at 5:44 p.m.i am glad to see the esteemed Dr Suarez (ie a rich doctor) complain about a greedy company instead of greedy taxpayers, and our completely competent government, they truly know what is best for us and we as citizens need their input on our lives daily, and since we are on the subject of death related illnesses lets get a statewide ban on everything just think how many lives will be saved!! did you know that the number one cause of death is being born?
April 24, 2009 at 2:16 p.m.i do not smoke but the government should not have the right to take away a legal substance away from someone
the ban will pass and the whiny people will get there way again
but someday the government will take away something that you wanted and it wont matter to me because i dont do what you want to do
i as a consumer have the choice and the right at the moment to go to any business or public place that allows smoking or drinking or gambling or not
it is MY choice not yours to take away from me