Take a big breath.
What do you smell. That’s right, fresh air.
According to an Associated Press article, South Dakota lawmakers are split on a proposed smoking ban in all businesses, including bars, motel rooms and casinos.
The article said 43 percent of the 82 lawmakers that responded to a survey would support a state-wide smoking ban. House and Senate leaders said they believed the measure had a good chance of passing in the legislature that began Jan. 13.
Whoohoo! I’m jumping up and down and dancing on the tables - it’s about time.
Some lawmakers said they felt within the next two years the ban could pass, and some say it could be this year. The legislature does not need to wait. It’s been long enough as it is.
I ranted about smoking in a column a few weeks ago, but I feel that the legislature needs as much prompting and praise as it can get for this proposed ban.
I apologize (sort of) to all the smokers out there. Yes, it’s your own lifestyle choice, but I am not shy about telling people their habit annoys me.
Often times when smoke rolls in my general direction I am not discrete about waving it away or covering my nose. Many respond, “I know, it’s killing me.”
Well buddy, it’s killing me more.
South Dakota failed when it came tobacco control efforts, according to The American Lung Association. South Dakota received an “F” for smoke-free air and for smoking cessation coverage for state employees and Medicaid recipients.
The state needs to think about the children, employees and yes, even pets that are victims of second-hand smoke.
The Web site, www.smokefreesd.com said 60 to 180 adults, children and babies die each year in South Dakota from second-hand smoke. The number of adults who die each year from their own smoking is 1,100; 18,000 kids under 18 and alive in South Dakota will die prematurely from smoking.
Think of the family and friends in your life that smoke when looking at the figures.
It’s everyone’s choice to smoke or not to smoke, however, it’s also my choice to be able to breathe fresh air. There will be nothing better than when I can enjoy a night out, where the only smoke is from the sizzling fajita I ordered for dinner.
So South Dakota, I urge you, to follow the national trend and make a smoke-free state.