New Orleans has long been a symbol for poor health in America. What many call unhealthy, locals call lunch. If your favorite bar ever actually closes, it will surely reopen for the noon rush.
This cultural aspect of New Orleans is so well established that change seems more like blasphemy than progress. But change is inevitable in a communication age, and the anti-smoke movement has finally filtered into the city.
January marks the arrival of a citywide smoking ban affecting all public and private institutions with the exception of bars, casinos and walled-off bar portions of restaurants. This is a big step for New Orleans and a good one, likely to ignite an economic and health boom for the city.
Debate over smoking bans often focuses on physiological issues via exposure. But data is unclear, and I’ve known more aunts and uncles who continue smoking through their 80s than scholars who dropped dead from shaking a smoker’s hand, as opposed to the diesel emissions they inhaled for decades during their two hour daily commute.
Activists like to tell fairy tales about second-hand smoke, describing it as a relentless juggernaut – a murderer of children or deflowerer of women – type of phenomenon rotting our brains to the point of voting for people like, I don’t know, George Bush. And as much as I’d like to blame the current administration on smokers, I can’t bring myself to because I know a few who voted the other way.
But as sensational as the stories are, one must agree that constant exposure to thick smoke affects health, especially that of these fuming establishment’s employees. But “facts” are debatable and there are benefits receiving less press that can be more impacting.
Studies of cities with active bans measure soaring business profits. Smoke actually prevents many people from going to or staying in establishments for long periods of time. Several institutions fear losing business, but it’s more likely profits will spike and bars desiring to successfully go smoke free will gain headway.
A minimal smoking ban like this also hoists American civil liberties. It’s foolish to believe the propaganda that many non-smokers regurgitate. A dump truck passes spewing diesel musk the entire street length, yet they claim the smoker who walked past violated rights.
It’s true our economy is consumer based, and a reasonable portion of our population is unable to pass through the smoke. Considering business offices and restaurants draw every demographic for essential daily activities, it’s easy to agree with state courts ruling that disallowing people to participate in an economy that supposedly belongs to them is unconstitutional.
But the craze may be going too far. Many cities completely ban indoor smoking and others extend to outdoor public places. This is absurd considering bars provide non-essential services to their customers, usually predominantly smokers, so now smokers and business owner’s liberties are being neglected. And if you measure emissions around playgrounds then consider cigarette smoke, you’ll probably realize you need a gasmask, not a “smoke-free” swing set.
