Nearly every day, members of the public ask us, "What's going on with that
smoking ban? When is the Board of Health going to pass it?" So where do we stand with the Board of Health and a smoking ban?At
this time, we do not believe we have the votes needed on the board of
health to pass an exemption free smoking ban that will protect
everyone. Only one board member supports a complete ban. If
the board were to vote on any revision to our current clean indoor air
regulation, we believe they would pass a very poor regulation
riddled with exemptions that would do little, if anything, to protect
the public. Once they pass a bad regulation, it would likely
take years before they would re-visit the issue and thus guarantee
smoke filled establishments for years to come. Due to this risk,
we are no longer pushing the board for an
immediate vote.
Every
community we've talked with that has successfully achieved smoke free air has
advised us that we must be patient and willing to wait things out until
conditions are favorable. Meanwhile, we will maintain a presence at every board of health meeting and
continue to educate the board members and the public about the hazards of
secondhand smoke, focusing on those most affected by working in or patronizing
local establishments.
What can you do in the meantime?We believe the best option at this time is to
encourage local businesses to voluntarily go smoke free. Many were receptive to our message and sincerely wanted the board
of health to pass a smoking ban. But they are nonetheless afraid
that they will be negatively impacted without a regulation that provides a level
playing field. With just a little encouragement from patrons and
workers, we think these establishments might voluntarily
eliminate smoking indoors. Ask establishment
owners to provide a healthy smoke free environment for their workers
and customers. Remind them that the vast majority of our adult population does
not smoke and that they could be missing a great opportunity to
build a stronger customer base.
Patronize and support smoke-free establishments. If the
smoke-free option is perceived as a competitive edge, rather than a
liability, then more places will consider a voluntary ban.
Continue to actively support a smoke-free regulation.
Educate friends, co-workers and family about the hazards of
secondhand smoke and the need for a smoking ban that protects
everybody. Ask your group or organization to endorse the smoke-free
regulation. Call, email or write the board of health and let
them know that you support a smoking ban. Attend board meetings
to speak or just show your support. Keep the issue alive in the
media by sending letters to the Dominion Post and the DA and by
calling in to radio talk shows..
Contact Smoke Free Mon County for more information, talking points
and educational literature to share.
If you are interested in a tobacco free campus at WVU,
please contact Chris Roberts christopher.roberts@mail.wvu.edu. Phone 293-9764.
Thank you for your steadfast support of smoke-free air!
