Lois Sestito – 4/8/05

This page was last updated on April 9, 2005.

Smokers violate others ’ air; Lois Sestito; Beaver County Times; April 8, 2005.

Given my comments below, I need to make the following disclosure. I’ve never been a smoker. I prefer not to be in places where people are smoking – the smoke irritates my eyes and throat – and I hate the smell of smoke on my clothes. I don’t permit persons to smoke in my car or home.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“I’m writing in response to the letter from Tony DiTommaso (‘Burned up over smoking ban,’ March 31).

“I sincerely hope that he read and understood the editorial on smoking indoors which was also published.

“Recent studies indicate that second-hand smoke is one of the causes of breast cancer, and any physician can give you a lengthy list of reasons smoking is lethal.

“If I were to enter a restaurant and disperse a toxic substance, I’m sure I’d be arrested. Would that be his so-called discrimination? I think not.

“Second hand-smoke is very damaging and takes away the basic right to breath for non-smokers. Since smoke does travel, dividing a room in a restaurant isn’t feasible.

“Smokers do not have the right to endanger the health of anyone else. It’s that simple.”

[RWC] Drivers don’t have the right to endanger health, but we put the burden on pedestrians not to walk in the middle of the road. If you don’t want to inhale second-hand smoke, go to a bar, restaurant, et cetera that doesn’t permit smoking.

“If a smoker cannot refrain from smoking for the hour it takes to enjoy a meal, then I suggest he eat at home.”

[RWC] In other words, Ms. Sestito believes restaurants should not be allowed to satisfy the market demand of smokers who want to eat out. Ms. Sestito wants to take choice away from property owners and smokers.

“Incidentally I’m not a whacko liberal, just a mother and grandmother who is smart enough not to be a smoker.”

[RWC] Ms. Sestito misses the point. It’s not an issue of smokers vs. nonsmokers and the alleged harm of second-hand smoke. It’s an issue of individual and property rights. If I own property and want to allow smokers, why should I have that right taken from me? No one forces a nonsmoker to eat in a restaurant that allows smokers. If you don’t want to eat in a place that allows smoking, vote with your wallet and eat somewhere else. Don’t force your position on someone else.

Where does it stop? For example, when will vegans demand restaurants provide separate food preparation and dining areas to help ensure meat-free meals are not “contaminated” by meat-containing foods?

Here’s another example. Why not demand quick tests to determine if a person entering a restaurant has a communicable disease so the sick can be banned?