Citizen Staff Writer
Our Opinion
How’s this for hazy thinking: Several states and U.S. cities are re-evaluating indoor smoking bans.
The idea is that lifting the bans would create more business for recession-plagued bars, restaurants and casinos.
Arizonans in 2006 approved the Smoke-free Arizona Act, prohibiting smoking in most indoor public places.
We hope that no lawmakers in Tucson – which had already passed an anti-smoking ordinance, or elsewhere in Arizona – succumb to the fumes of illogic that permeate the thinking of those who would loosen the ban.
Numerous studies have found that smoking bans don’t hurt business, and that many patrons prefer to frequent restaurants or taverns not reeking of Marlboros.
In a July survey released by J.D. Power and Associates, 85 percent of 1,700 California gamblers indicated they prefer a smoke-free environment.
Then there’s that whole cancer-lung disease thing, and how reducing smoking cuts health care costs.
So we urge everyone to take a deep breath and relax.
Regardless of the state of the economy, smoking bans remain good business and good public health policy.