Smoke Free Charleston
April 11, 2006: Before introducing our speaker, Council members Fishburne and Tinkler gave a brief history regarding efforts to pass ordinances here in Charleston which would effectively ban smoking in public places, including restaurants and bars. This issue was first raised by Former Councilman Haggerty in the mid-1990’s. Councilman Haggerty knew second-hand smoke was a growing public health issue and began devoting his time and effort toward building awareness of how this practice negatively impacts residents, workers and visitors to Charleston. Although support for a ban on smoking was slow to gain momentum, understanding of, and support for, such action now seems to be growing as people begin to realize the far-reaching impact pf second hand smoke on health care costs, economic development, and particularly upon those individuals who must work in such environments.
During the past 10 years our speaker, Dan Carrigan, has volunteered to work on many issues pertaining to tobacco control. In 2003, Dan began working for Smoke Free Air, an organization whose goal is to protect the health of Charleston residents, workers and visitors by passing local ordinances banning smoking in public areas, particularly in restaurants and bars until such time as Charleston becomes fully 100% smoke free.
Dan shared some sobering statistics about second hand smoke. An average of 5,000 people in the United States die annually due to second hand smoke which causes lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illness. Sadly, a disproportionate number of those deaths consist of women, African-Americans, and Latinos which represent largest populations employed in the service and restaurant industries. We now know that increasing ventilation in such environments or designating smoke free areas do very little to protect the health of those who are constantly exposed. According to surveys neither of these efforts to accommodate the smoking public have any impact on the quit smoking rate.
Interestingly, the one measure that does significantly impact the quit smoking rate is that of a total ban on smoking in a public area. Smokers are then forced to go outside, away from their convivial group to have a cigarette. The negative social acceptability of being required to remove oneself from the environment in order to practice this habit does have a positive impact on helping people want to quit. Further, studies are beginning to show that both smokers and non-smokers alike seem to support the right of a non-smoker to enjoy a smoke-free environment over the right of a smoker to practice his or her habit in public.
Mr. Carrigan concluded his comments by applauding the action of the owners of Rue de Jean and Coast restaurants who only yesterday moved to completely ban smoking in their establishments. He urged Rotarians to contact their council members to voice their opinions about this issue and to further communicate their views by supporting only those establishments which are smoke-free. For more information on this issue, you can contact Dan Carrigan at 843-402-0306 or by e-mail: [email protected].
Submitted by Helen Harloe, Keyway committee