A large number of individuals attended a public meeting
asking for input into new anti-smoking regulations
By Bob Weaver
Citizens of Calhoun and Roane County said their piece about new smoking regulations at a forum last night in Arnoldsburg conducted by the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department.
Health professionals and anti-tobacco groups said there is a need to protect the public from second-hand smoke, saying it is a critical public health issue.
Businesses made their case against a proposed ban on smoking in restaurants and within 15 feet of doorways and ventilation systems, claiming it will hurt their bottom line.
Several individuals spoke against the expansion of government regulations over private businesses, declaring private businesses public. Several said the way it is being handled is a violation of constitutional law.
Smokers made their case for "smoker's rights," saying tobacco is not an illegal product.
Carlene Frederick (L) Gaylen Duskey (C) Darlene Rickard (R)
Calhoun's long-time anti-tobacco advocate Carlene Frederick said "The new regulations are not against the smoker. Good people use tobacco and are addicted to it. I watched my sister die from cancer caused by smoking."
"Think of it being a health issue, not a personal issue," she said. "It is about breathing second-hand smoke. I believe people can go into a restaurant and not smoke for an hour," she said.
Grantsville resident Gaylen Duskey said the real issue is not about public health, it is about government control of private businesses.
"When do government bureaucrats have the right to tell private business what they can do. What's next?" asked Duskey.
Darlene Rickard co-owner of the Koffee Kup, told the Board of Health that "It is not a requirement to go into a restaurant that permits smoking," saying there are non-smoking establishments.
Rickard said she had one complaint in six years regarding smoking. "So, why is smoking still legal? They'll be coming after the bacon and eggs and double deckers soon," she said.
Tony Richards (L) Steve Allison (R)
"Second-hand smoke is a carcinogen," said Tony Richards. "Children suffer greatly from the smoke," he said, citing a recent study that showed kids around smokers scored low on tests.
"The Clean Indoor Air Act allows people to have healthy air. We deserve to have healthy air. The Board of Health has an obligation to protect public health," he said.
"When government takes away property rights, they are obligated to pay compensation. Where is the compensation here?" asked Steve Allison, who said these kind of regulations violate constitutional law, holding up a copy of the constitution.
"They were not properly passed by elected officials, and besides they are a major infringement on private rights, making private businesses public.
Roane's TIFU group
Teresa Hickman (L) Nina Longfellow (R)
Roane County High School's TIFU group said the public should not be exposed to other people's habits and addictions.
Teresa Hickman from Roane General Hospital said "This is a public health issue. What about the people who work in the restaurants?"
Nina Longfellow from Chloe said "If cigarettes are so bad for people, why don't they make them illegal like other illegal drugs that cause harm?"
Eve Richards (L) Patsy Buvoltz (C) Ann Kendall (R)
Calhoun High's SCAT president Eve Richards, spoke about trying to keep kids off tobacco, but "Many still have to breathe harmful smoke."
Patsy Buvoltz said she is a non-smoker, but is opposed to more regulations infringing every aspect of human life.
Ann Kendall from Roane General Hospital simply stated "Please support the Clean Indoor Act," saying it is the right thing to do.
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