Houstonist vs. Houstonist: The smoking ban

First, such a smoking ban as the city is putting into effect is necessary to the health of workers. It has been proven that secondhand smoke can increase the risk of, among other things, heart disease, cancer, and emphysema. This fact sheet by the Centers for Disease Control details the negative effects of secondhand smoke. While it’s true that anyone working at a job where they are consistently exposed to secondhand smoke is at that job willingly, many of these workers (waiters, bartenders, etc.) are students or other people who absolutely need these jobs, and usually can’t afford to quit over secondhand smoke. Less secondhand smoke can not only lead to better health for these workers, but focusing on prevention of disease also leads to lower health care costs. So since we know that secondhand smoke is a huge risk factor for disease, it follows that minimizing its occurrence will lower health care costs.

A smoking ban can do a lot to improve conditions at restaurants and bars for patrons as well. In places that have enacted bans, the air quality in eating and drinking establishments has improved greatly. In the linked article, it shows that the air quality in New York restaurants after a smoking ban was up to nine times better than New Jersey restaurants, where no ban was in effect. It also reduces the fire hazard that lighters and cigarettes are when they’re used indoors.

An added bonus of a smoking ban is that it encourages smokers to quit. A good example of this right here in Houston is local blogger Urban Houstonian. When the city passed the last smoking ordinance, he committed to quitting and has been tobacco-free for over a year. There are similar stories here and in other cities as well. While this isn’t the express purpose of the smoking ban, it is a very positive side effect.

Many restaurant and bar owners worry that smoking bans will hurt their business. However, according to the Center for the Advancement of Health, most peer-reviewed studies find no economic loss due to smoking bans. In fact, in light of that, it seems more logical that smoking bans could help businesses. Healthier workers can mean more productive workers, and fires started by cigarettes and lighters could be economically devastating.

Smoking bans are an important issue and the controversy they raise demonstrates this. Part of the role of government is to maintain the public health, and while there is something to be said for the rights of business owners, social responsibility and the welfare of the public should trump that.

As of now, tobacco is still a legal substance in our country. With the massive negative press cigarette smoking has received and the attention it has garnered from lawmakers, you would think the government would make it totally illegal. That will never happen, though; the cigarette tax brings in a lot of revenue, and lobbyists bring a lot of money to politicians.

So, because tobacco is a legal substance and many people (including casual smokers) like to wind down with a cigarette and a drink, why forbid them to do so in an adult environment like a bar? If a bar owner doesn't want smoking in his or her establishment, he or she has the right to ban it now, even without a city ordinance. The fact that the overwhelming majority of bar owners haven't makes me wonder about the true demand for smoke-free bars.

One of the reasons for the ban is to protect the health of the workers. But there are many hazardous jobs that can damage your health — or even kill you (think of the miners in Utah). Besides, Texas is a right-to-work state: If you don't want to work in a smoky bar, you don't have to. There are plenty of non-smoking restaurant or hotel bars that will gladly employ you. And most importantly, the true dangers of second-hand smoke are still debatable. Dr. Michael Siegel, one of the leading proponents of banning smoking in restaurants, thinks that the
hysteria over second-hand smoke has gone too far.

This law will impact smaller, mom-and-pop establishments the most. Data from other cities
has proven that. The honky-tonks and small bars without patios will feel the most pain, and these are places where non-smokers probably don't dare go anyway. On the other hand, the bars and clubs in Midtown should do fine.

So yes, smoking is dangerous: It can lead to lung cancer and emphysema and shorten your life if you don't quit. But aren't there other habits that are just as dangerous? Overeating comes to mind, but we're not legislating that ... yet.