Forum discussion airs opinions on going smoke-free

Alex T. Paschal/Gazette The public was invited to a forum Monday morning to discuss a possible smoking ban at bars and restaurants in Whiteside County. Among those in attendance was Rock Falls resident Jay Charleston. "To bring in and press another law on people, I think is ridiculous," he said.

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STERLING - The Whiteside County Healthier Communities Partnership is giving people one more chance to air their opinions about smoking bans, for or against, at a public forum tonight at the downtown YWCA.

The partnership is for a countywide smoking ban in all public places, and has enlisted the services of Health Department nurse Judy Randall and Dave Riggs, spokesman for the American Cancer Society, to make its case.

They did so Monday at the first two of three public forums, in Rock Falls and Morrison, and will do so again tonight.

Now is the time for every community to go smoke-free, not because second-hand smoke is a nuisance, but because it presents a serious health risk, Randall and Riggs said.

"Nonsmokers who work in smoking establishments are 30 percent more likely to develop lung cancer," Riggs said at the Rock Falls forum. "Working an eight-hour shift in a smoky establishment is like smoking 16 cigarettes a day."

It is time the state offered workers in bars and restaurants the same healthy, smoke-free working environments that has been afforded those who work in offices, department stores or almost any other type of business for 20 years, he said.

The county is not discussing any proposed smoking ban ordinances at this time, but the state Legislature is reviewing legislation that calls for a statewide ban. If enacted, Senate Bill 500 would prohibit smoking in all public places and any indoor workplace.

The 20 or so people who attended the Rock Falls forum had mixed opinions on smoking bans of any sort. Some challenged Illinois Cancer Society statistics, and argued against what they say is intrusive legislation of people's personal lives.

"The idea of a smoke-free world is a wonderful idea, but so is a drug-free world and a war-free world," said Jay Charleston, of Rock Falls. "The reality is, people smoke."

The effects of second-hand smoke are fairly limited, and proper ventilation systems would be an appropriate compromise, Charleston said.

"If the air ventilation is functioning as it should, there shouldn't be a problem," he said. "To bring in and press another law on people, I think is ridiculous."

The majority of people in Whiteside County may not agree, said Randall, citing a 2003 survey in which 59 percent of respondents favored a ban on smoking in public places.

Still smoking is legal in this country, and should be a right, said Don Blair, a smoker and a former Marine and Korean War veteran.

"Are you going to go into a VFW and tell those people they can't smoke?" Blair said. "You can fight for your country but you can't have a smoke in your club? That's good."

Those speaking out against smoking were equally passionate. Jack Cox of Rock Falls said he has lost two wives to complications from inhaling secondhand smoke. After his second wife died 20 years ago, he kicked the habit for good.

"If I were to get married again, I would not only look for a woman who didn't smoke, if I could, I would look for one who didn't inhale smoke, either," Cox said.

Most involved in the forum came away with a positive feeling about the discussion.

"I think the dialogue is good. We need to talk about it," said Rebecca White, of Sterling.

Reach Andrew Walters at (815) 625-3600 or (800) 798-4085, ext. 522.