ASHTRAY OF THE NORTHEAST
www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com
The Stop Smoking Hypnosis People
ASHTRAY OF THE NORTHEAST
Editorial by the New Jersey Star-Ledger
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
The next two months in Trenton (NJ) could be called tidying-up time. It's a chance, before the start of the new legislative session in January, for lawmakers to tackle controversial issues they have managed to avoid.
Near the top of their to-do list should be a statewide ban on smoking at work and indoor public places -- bars, restaurants and even casinos. The legislation has been bandied about the Statehouse for months but ultimately was deemed an issue too volatile for a pre-election vote. Now's the time to deal with it.
There's no doubt that secondhand smoke can endanger the health of nonsmokers. Bills sponsored by Senators Loretta Weinberg of Bergen County and John Adler of Camden County are based on this fact, correctly noting that it's in the public's interest to ban smoking in all workplaces. Backers of the legislation argue that waiters, waitresses and bartenders, along with casino dealers and others, should not be exposed to secondhand smoke while on the job.
Opponents fear such a ban could drive away business. But an analysis done by the Office of Legislative Services and attached to the Weinberg bill concluded that telling smokers they have to take their cigarettes outside would have no adverse economic impact on bars and restaurants.
Casinos may be exposed to a greater risk. Financial analysts who monitor the gaming industry say Delaware experienced an 11 percent drop in revenues after passing a smoking ban; Australian casinos in the state of Victoria saw an 8 percent dip. Estimates are that New Jersey casinos would lose about 12 percent, resulting in a $50 million decline in gaming taxes.
The question is whether the tradeoff is worth it. We feel it is. While a hesitancy to tinker with one of the state's major industries is understandable, smoking is a public health hazard with heavy costs to society. Whether it occurs in a school, restaurant, bar or casino doesn't make it any less a menace.
When the Legislature returns later this month, it should move quickly to enact the smoking ban.
www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com
The Stop Smoking Hypnosis People
Link
The Stop Smoking Hypnosis People
ASHTRAY OF THE NORTHEAST
Editorial by the New Jersey Star-Ledger
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
The next two months in Trenton (NJ) could be called tidying-up time. It's a chance, before the start of the new legislative session in January, for lawmakers to tackle controversial issues they have managed to avoid.
Near the top of their to-do list should be a statewide ban on smoking at work and indoor public places -- bars, restaurants and even casinos. The legislation has been bandied about the Statehouse for months but ultimately was deemed an issue too volatile for a pre-election vote. Now's the time to deal with it.
There's no doubt that secondhand smoke can endanger the health of nonsmokers. Bills sponsored by Senators Loretta Weinberg of Bergen County and John Adler of Camden County are based on this fact, correctly noting that it's in the public's interest to ban smoking in all workplaces. Backers of the legislation argue that waiters, waitresses and bartenders, along with casino dealers and others, should not be exposed to secondhand smoke while on the job.
Opponents fear such a ban could drive away business. But an analysis done by the Office of Legislative Services and attached to the Weinberg bill concluded that telling smokers they have to take their cigarettes outside would have no adverse economic impact on bars and restaurants.
Casinos may be exposed to a greater risk. Financial analysts who monitor the gaming industry say Delaware experienced an 11 percent drop in revenues after passing a smoking ban; Australian casinos in the state of Victoria saw an 8 percent dip. Estimates are that New Jersey casinos would lose about 12 percent, resulting in a $50 million decline in gaming taxes.
The question is whether the tradeoff is worth it. We feel it is. While a hesitancy to tinker with one of the state's major industries is understandable, smoking is a public health hazard with heavy costs to society. Whether it occurs in a school, restaurant, bar or casino doesn't make it any less a menace.
When the Legislature returns later this month, it should move quickly to enact the smoking ban.
www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com
The Stop Smoking Hypnosis People
Link
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