From: Joe@smokefree.org
Date: Tue, 06/08/04
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The following op-ed in today's TwinCities newspaper was written by Arne Carlson,
former two-term Governor of Minnesota.
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Government Must Protect Worker Health
Parts excerpted from TwinCities, 6/8/04
One of the most important issues being considered by St. Paul (MN) is that of
smoking in restaurants and bars. Sadly, this discussion is devolving into one
of profit and loss instead of remaining focused on public health.
What is clearly missing from this discussion is the obligation of government to
protect workers and their rights to a healthy workplace, a right that has
historical precedent. We, as a society, have steadily removed other health
hazards from our workplaces, such as asbestos and lead paint, and today are
spending millions of dollars to remove those hazards from our environments.
More recently, we eliminated smoking in just about all workplaces after we
discovered the serious health hazards of breathing secondhand smoke. But what
puzzles me is why some work areas were protected while others were ignored.
Why is it a health hazard and prohibited in most work sites, but not a health
hazard in a restaurant or bar? Don't restaurant and bar employees have the same
rights as those who work in Mayor Randy Kelly's office - or any city offices, or
my office - where smoking is prohibited?
Of course they do.
In addition, if the argument is that the employees have a choice of whether or
not to work in a bar or restaurant, then why did government not recognize and
consider that choice when eliminating smoking in their own and other workplaces?
Furthermore, who is going to assume the liability - including the financial
burden - of workers who are exposed to secondhand smoke? I ask that question
because I have no doubt that lawsuits will be filed in the future by employees
who suffered serious health consequences as a result of working in an
environment where smoking was permitted. Rest assured that these lawsuits will
be in the millions of dollars and will place the taxpayer at considerable risk.
Who is going to indemnify the city?
In the past, government and business could dismiss those claims on the grounds
of ignorance and point the finger to the tobacco companies. Now, however, we
possess overwhelming evidence that secondhand smoke is a health hazard. I do not
know of any political leader who is willing to stand up and take responsibility
for the harm caused by breathing smoke-filled air.
We do know the dangers of secondhand smoke. We do have the obligation to act
intelligently and swiftly. This means that our government must act responsibly
and remove this health hazard from all of our workplaces.
It is my hope that the mayor and city council will serve the best interests of
all people, which means placing health above any perceived financial concerns.
To win smokefree air where YOU live, go to http://www.smokefree.net/alerts.php
Joseph W. Cherner
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the
world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
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