Spring Break
To Smoke or Not To Smoke
The question in Carbondale has been answered for citizens
By Sarah Sackett
Issue date: 5/10/07 Section: News
People in America have the right of speech. They have the right of freedom of press, and the right to practice any religion they want. However, people may not have the right to prevent themselves from getting lung cancer.
Over 35 states in the U.S. have smoking bans, according to Wikipedia.com. These states include California, New York, and recently many parts of Illinois. Chicago recently banned smoking in many public places and the trend is moving south; all the way to Carbondale.
Non-Smokers in Carbondale Show Relief
People like Mark Guccione, 20, an SIU student and a non-smoker is beyond content; excitement expels from his face. "I'm sick of smelling like smoke and feeling like I smoke every time I go out with my friends," Guccione said. "I choose to not smoke cigarettes and I shouldn't have to suffer."
Guccione, like many non-smokers in Carbondale, are very pleased with the smoking ban that has recently been passed. This ordinance will force restaurants and bars that serve food to go smoke free by January 1, 2008, and all other bars to follow by July 1, 2008. One exception to this ban is beer gardens, where patrons will be able to continue smoking outside.
As well as expressing concern for himself, Guccione expresses concern for his friends who work in smoky bars and restaurants. According to Wikipedia, research at Dundee University found, after testing bar workers' lungs, that symptoms related to second-hand smoke fell from over 80% to under 50% once the city went smoke-free.
Throughout the country, smoking bans have been set in both restaurants and bars. According to Facts About Smoking, there are over 400,000 deaths a year caused by smoking in the United States alone. Second-hand smoke may cause the same effects as direct smoke, including lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and lung problems (Wikipedia). There are also 69 known carcinogens contained in side stream smoke (Wikipedia).
According to non-smokers like Guccione, smoking causes food to taste bad, people to smell bad, and public places to be stuffy. However, private owners run these public establishments.
Over 35 states in the U.S. have smoking bans, according to Wikipedia.com. These states include California, New York, and recently many parts of Illinois. Chicago recently banned smoking in many public places and the trend is moving south; all the way to Carbondale.
Non-Smokers in Carbondale Show Relief
People like Mark Guccione, 20, an SIU student and a non-smoker is beyond content; excitement expels from his face. "I'm sick of smelling like smoke and feeling like I smoke every time I go out with my friends," Guccione said. "I choose to not smoke cigarettes and I shouldn't have to suffer."
Guccione, like many non-smokers in Carbondale, are very pleased with the smoking ban that has recently been passed. This ordinance will force restaurants and bars that serve food to go smoke free by January 1, 2008, and all other bars to follow by July 1, 2008. One exception to this ban is beer gardens, where patrons will be able to continue smoking outside.
As well as expressing concern for himself, Guccione expresses concern for his friends who work in smoky bars and restaurants. According to Wikipedia, research at Dundee University found, after testing bar workers' lungs, that symptoms related to second-hand smoke fell from over 80% to under 50% once the city went smoke-free.
Throughout the country, smoking bans have been set in both restaurants and bars. According to Facts About Smoking, there are over 400,000 deaths a year caused by smoking in the United States alone. Second-hand smoke may cause the same effects as direct smoke, including lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and lung problems (Wikipedia). There are also 69 known carcinogens contained in side stream smoke (Wikipedia).
According to non-smokers like Guccione, smoking causes food to taste bad, people to smell bad, and public places to be stuffy. However, private owners run these public establishments.
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