Clear the air, for good

Taking advantage of the ongoing expensive special session of the Washington state Legislature, a number of legislators are trying to “peck away” at Washington state’s excellent workplace smoking law that was passed in 2009. Changes to the present law would legalize cigar smoking in cigar lounges and retail tobacco establishments.

The implication is that fancy equipment can make indoor tobacco smoke harmless, even though it has been shown many times that there is no safe level of tobacco smoke. Any tobacco smoke should not be ignored.

As might be expected, the health committees have not been given a chance to vote on these bills. Making such an unsafe change to Washington’s Clean Air law is ridiculous.

Employees in cigar-smoking areas would be asked that they recognize that tobacco smoke would be present. This in no way protects the employee. Fees collected by allowing cigar smoking in cigar lounges and retail tobacco establishments cannot be used to assist in solving Washington state’s budget problem.

Call the toll-free Washington Legislature Hotline at (800) 562-6000 and express your opposition to Senate Bill 5542 and House Bill 1683. Ask that your legislators and Gov. Gregoire be informed of your feeling.

Dennis W. Biggs Jr.

Spokane