Annotation #7

Why ban smoking in restaurants and other workplaces?

Michigan Smoke-Free Dining and Workplace Petition Drive

There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke. Even brief exposure has health effects, including a greater risk of developing heart disease or lung cancer. Ventilation systems do not eliminate secondhand smoke. The only thing that does this is a smoke-free environment. Many non-smokers die every year from heart disease and lung cancer caused by secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke contains many poisons. A smoking employee costs the employer $1,000 a year. Bar and restaurant workers are more at risk of dying from lung cancer. Brief exposure to secondhand smoke greatly increases the risk of a heart attack. No studies show a bad economic impact of smoking bans. Some show that smoking bans actually improve business. By allowing smoking in their businesses, restaurant owners pay many expenses. Ventilation systems help reduce smoking odors, but not secondhand smoke's health dangers.