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Jump to full article: Amarillo Globe-Times, 2008-05-02
Author: Jon Mark Beilue
Intro: Editor's note: On Saturday, Beilue focuses on the views of those who oppose the smoking ban ordinance. The ordinance prohibits smoking in public places and places of employment within the city. The vote, the second in three years, is scheduled for May 10. . . .
JMB: What's next, the Thought Police from the novel "1984"? Isn't this smoking ban just as much about taking away individual freedoms as it is breathing secondhand smoke?
Dr. Rush Pierce, Public Health Authority for Potter and Randall Counties: "It's definitely one of those issues where you balance individual freedom vs. the health of the public. But we face those issues all the time. We pass laws that we can only drive 55 mph in certain zones, or a child must be in a car seat. This is to protect the children of parents who wouldn't buy a car seat or people who will always speed. . . .
Pierce: "Does 30 minutes' exposure at a restaurant once a week put you at risk? The answer is most certainly no. But people are at risk who are exposed eight hours every day, 50 weeks a year. This is about smoking at the workplace and putting co-workers at risk.
"People can say that if you don't want to work where there's smoke, then work somewhere else. It's not that simple. We have some choices, but this is Amarillo, not Houston, and there are a limited number of jobs."
JMB: Well, all of this seems pretty rational, but the other side, which is just as passionate, does not agree. It may take a day, but I think I can find them.
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