UNC Charlotte students couldn’t be more pleased with the newly implemented ban on smoking in restaurants and bars, even if it’s in the nation’s largest tobacco growing region.

Earlier this month a law to ban smoking from all restaurants and bars with the exceptions of private clubs and cigar bars was put into effect.

A fine of up to $50 for smoking in a bar or restaurant and $200 fine for owners who neglect the new policy was put in place to ensure compliance.

The days of walking into a smoke filled bar while a cancerous haze loomed over head have come to an end. Though tobacco was king in the Carolinas, students are happy to breathe the fresh air once more.

“I don’t care if people smoke, but it honestly can ruin food and was never separated by ‘non -smoking’. I’m happy for sure,” said sophomore Justin Balser.

In North Carolina, the land of J. R. Reynolds, tobacco has taken a backseat to human health concern.

Freshman Tessa Grogan who suffers from asthma believes it to be a healthy choice for not only herself, but fellow students as well. “Secondhand smoke is not only dangerous to me but also to other students who might have medical problems, and even some of those who don’t,” said Grogan.

After the law was passed Gov. Bev Perdue said, “By banning smoking in our restaurants and bars, we will greatly reduce the dangers of secondhand smoke and lower health care costs for families.” The EPA estimates that secondhand smoke exposure causes approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths per year.

The nights spent downtown are filled with fun, it’s the time you forget about classes and tests. It isn’t the time you should be worrying about having your lungs filled with poisonous fumes that you don’t even want in the first place.

Next time you go out make sure to stop and smell the fresh air. Be thankful that you can finally breathe smoke free.

1 comments

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Sat Jan 16 2010 03:07

Since 1981 there have been 148 reported studies on ETS, involving spouses, children and workplace exposure. 124 of these studies showed no significant causal relationship between second hand smoke and lung cancer. Of the 24 which showed some risk, only two had a Relative Risk Factor over 3.0 and none higher. What does this mean. To put it in perspective, Robert Temple, director of drug evaluation at the Food and Drug Administration said "My basic rule is if the relative risk isn't at least 3 or 4, forget it." The National Cancer Institute states "Relative risks of less than 2 are considered small and are usually difficult to interpret. Such increases may be due to mere chance, statistical bias, or the effect of confounding factors that are sometimes not evident." Dr. Kabat, IAQC epidemiologist states "An association is generally considered weak if the relative risk is under 3.0 and particularly when it is under 2.0, as is the case in the relationship of ETS and lung cancer. Therefore, you can see any concern of second hand smoke causing lung cancer is highly questionable." Note that the Relative Risk (RR) of lung cancer for persons drinking whole milk is 2.14 and all cancers from chlorinated water ranked at 1.25. These are higher risks than the average ETS risk. If we believe second hand smoke to be a danger for lung cancer then we should also never drink milk or chlorinated water.

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