Recently I was reading the letter to the editor “No one should be forced to inhale smoke.” It brought to mind all the times I was sitting with my family trying to enjoy a nice meal and the people at surrounding tables were smoking. Smoke distorts the taste of the food, not to mention that it is very hard trying to hold a conversation with your dinner partner when you are constantly coughing due to smoke. Furthermore restaurants are expensive. I want food that is appetizing, not distorted, and I want an atmosphere that is pleasant and fresh.
In addition parents have a duty to be role models for kids. Like it or not, seeing parents smoke gives kids the impression that smoking is OK and healthy. (Never mind secondhand smoke, emphysema and lung cancer!)
With the rising cost of health care, why model a behavior that will not only harm your health but also your pocketbook?
Help your kids, help your community and help yourself; see through the cloud of smoke and step through to a clean and fresh tomorrow.
