Contaminated smoke such as tobacco smoke is not something I want to inhale into my body. Alabama should be a smoke-free state in order to prevent second-hand smoke. Many believe just by having a smoking area and a non-smoking area in a restaurant prevents a person from second-hand smoke. That is not the case at all.
Smoke spreads from smoking areas to non-smoking areas even if there is a door or ventilation to separate the areas. While sitting in a non-smoking area, you can smell tobacco smoke while you’re trying to enjoy a delicious meal. The employees who may work at smoke-permitting restaurants will have an even greater chance of secondhand smoke.
Putting other people’s lungs and lives in danger is selfish and we, as Alabama, need to be considerate of the people trying to stay healthy. About 3,400 non-smoking adults die of lung cancer each year as a result of breathing secondhand smoke. The only way to fully protect ourselves from second-hand smoking is to have a smoke-free state.
Tiffany DeBoer
Anniston
