Smokers get the short-end of the stick

By Danielle Hilmo | Sunday, July 20, 2008

If smoking is a legal activity, why punish those who partake in that activity? The cigarette taxes already take advantage of our legal habit. Now they want to take away the enjoyment of our recreational activities as well. That’s punishment.

A friend of mine works at a local restaurant as a waitress. Before the smoking ban went into effect, the restaurant had a section for smoking and a section for non-smoking, as well as an area for the employee break room in which employees were allowed to smoke. Since the smoking ban went into effect smoking is no longer allowed in the building.

This is understandable. People have the right to eat without smoke in their face. However, this particular restaurant also banned their employees from smoking outside the building. A smoker in a waitress’ position needs her cigarette on a stressful day. Now they have to work all day without one? That’s punishment.

Not to mention the bar and restaurant owners losing revenue due to the ban. A lot of business owners and residents of Iowa were devastated by the damages of the flood. With this added loss of revenue some local businesses might not be able to make it. This ban is going to hit our community hard.

Why do smokers have to give up a night on the town because they have a legal habit? We should have places where smokers and non-smokers can enjoy themselves. Everybody needs a little relaxation.

Danielle Hilmo

Davenport