For many readers of this blog, you will know that I’ve long taken an anti-smoking position. But with my recent experience of asthma, I’ve come to realize that smoking in public places is a huge danger, not just to the smoker themselves, but also to the staff working in such places. For example, employees of pubs, restaurants, hotels, discos, even casinos, etc, are all seriously impacted by second hand smoke for risk of lung cancer, throat cancer, to mention but too. What surprised me more, though, was that the patrons of their casino games, for example, never complained about second hand smoke.
Why? Smoking Sucks
One time I took a part-time job in a pub near where I used to live in Edinburgh. The only thing that stopped me from working more than one night was the stench of the smoke. I never went back to collect my wages that night because I just didn’t want to work in such a place. I love beer, but the smoke was the worst experience I ever had.
Smoking Banned
Fortunately, in many countries smokers are no longer allowed to smoke in public places, but there are states in the US where smoking in public places is still legal and tolerated. But now, in one of those places which still permits public smoking, the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas, NV faces being sued by their employees for exposure to second-hand smoke which is an occupational hazard. I wonder how long we will have to wait before customers sue for exposure to second-hand smoke, after all, aren’t consumer laws there to PROTECT consumers, not KILL them.
What can you do?
If you’re a non-smoker, what can you do when you’re faced with second-hand smoke? Well, I tell you some tips:
- 1. Shop in places that are smoke-free – reward businesses that respect your health rights;
- 2. Complain when smoke-free doesn’t mean smoke-free – offline or online;
- 3. Seek legal advice on harmful smoking on customers’ health;
- 4. Promote awareness of smoke-free environments in your community;
- 5. Complain to your local politicians about smoking environments;
- 6. Know your legal rights, and push to get curbs on smoking in public places – trust me, we’ll all be better off with curbs.
Unfortunately, until smoking is made illegal itself, we’ll occasionally still have to put up with the thoughtless smokers puffing away; but at least, in the meantime, we’re trying to do something to make the world a better place.