Wednesday, September 18, 2002
|
Wednesday, September 18, 2002 |
|
It's your fault we all have second-hand smoke One of the reasons people chose to live in Fayette County and in Peachtree City is because this is such a family oriented and supportive community. Being a strongly conservative area, we do not encourage unnecessary government regulations. However, because of this, it requires each individual to take the time and effort to protect themselves and their own families. There is one area where we need to reevaluate our current habits. Think about the many times you have left the soccer field or baseball field (or any of the other numerous sports facilities our community offers) with your family to go get something to eat. How often do you even consider the totally needless danger of sitting in the smoker's overflowing waste (which we so sweetly call secondhand smoke)? In Peachtree City it is so easy to spot. We are one of the few places that actually requires the truth. (Note: We do not require protection, only the truth about the known danger.) Look for the restaurants with our green "Smoke Free" signs. Avoid the ones with our red "Tobacco Smoke Present" signs. Look around, what you will not find is any restaurant with a blue "Separately Ventilated" sign. And that is your fault! The protection is left up to each individual and each business. It is left up to the consumer to demand smoke-free air. So far, I am afraid I am not very impressed by your efforts. It is now four years later, and not one restaurant that I can find has chosen to make the effort to go from the red danger sign to the safe blue sign to accommodate the smoker while protecting everyone else. Not even one! The reason is that the people do not complain. They quietly and politely sit in the smoker's overflowing waste (often with their children) without complaining. The restaurants that would like to get rid of their red "Tobacco Smoke Present" signs cannot justify the effort because their customers do not complain about the smoke or their ignoring of the danger. People, it is up to you; it is your responsibility. You told us that you did not want the government protecting you, that you would protect yourselves. When are you going to start? Just complain! Demand smoke free air! Demand they fix the problem! And then walk away until they do. Kathleen Sprowl Cheney Peachtree City
|
||