| With West Virginia having near the highest rate of smoking in the nation, a proposed bill in the WV Legislature could make it easier for counties to opt out of smoking bans initiated to prevent harm done by second hand smoke.
The bill affects the Indoor Clean Air Act, proposed by Del. Larry Faircloth (R)Berkley, and other legislators. Faircloth is from a district that casinos say they are losing money with the smoking ban.
Instead of letting public health departments enact and enforce those bans, House Bill 2208 would let county commissions vote on them.
"I'd like to see us amend it to where we make it a referendum, not a special vote, but something that can go on the ballot in a general election to let people decide. That's the way it should be, you know. We're a government for the people, by the people. That's the bottom line," said Faircloth.
"For them to come into a private place, privately owned, and tell people what they can and can't do--what's to stop them from coming into your home. That's the real question. Nothing," he continued.
"We're protected from second hand smoke. Our families, our kids, are able to dine and enjoy a nice atmosphere in terms of clean, indoor air," said Nasandra Wright, Kanawha Charleston Health Dept. Environmental Health Services Director.
"We'd hate to see it go back, and put us back in the dark ages," said Hersha Arnold Brown, American Cancer Society WV State Gov. Relations.
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