SECONDHAND SMOKE BLOGS

February 7, 2007

Ask most people who smoke if they care about the harm their smoke does to those around them. The answer ninety percent of the time is, "No". That is a clear indication of the drugs hold on the person. No drug user wants to think there is anything wrong with their drug use, and like a drunk that says he can drive the idea that it may harm others is nonsense to them.

I come from a long line of alcoholics. I currently have alcoholic relatives, both sober and not sober. Only one that I know of died from the disease of alcoholism. Anyone want to guess what killed most of the rest of them? Smoking! From emphysema to cancer to heart disease.

My first husband was an alcoholic who smoked. He sobered up four years before he died of cancer at the age of 39. At that time I had no concern for his smoking, only fearing the alcohol would get him again. Our ignorance of the dangers of tobacco cost him his life.

One 24 year-old currently sober member of our family began smoking as a pre-teen and has stated without hesitation that quitting smoking was much harder than quitting drinking or any of the other serious illegal drugs he has used. He just realized the life-threatening dangers to his health made it a necessity.

Tobacco, in all forms, is known to be the most addictive and deadly drug on planet earth, and yet Alcoholics Anonymous refuses to include tobacco as a drug in their program. In order to be considered "clean and sober" in A.A. it is not acceptable to continue to use marijuana or any other drug. Even addictive use of legal prescriptions is not accepted. Here is the link to their list of "Other Than Alcohol" http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/en_pdfs/p-35_ProOtherThanAlcohol.pdf. The word tobacco or smoking is no where to be found. Yet, tobacco, the drug that I believe kills more alcoholics than any other drug included in their program, continues to be an accepted mood altering addiction.

We have many friends in A.A. that have recently been diagnosed with smoking-related illnesses. One with asthma who has finally quit, one with throat cancer struggling for survival, another is fighting for air every minute of every day now and is terrified to see a doctor, and another that continues to smoke while on chemo even though it restricts his ability to overcome his prostate cancer.

If anyone believes tobacco does not change ones behavior they need to think again. Within three to six months of complete elimination of smoking or chewing tobacco the personality of the user changes dramatically.

I ask Alcoholics Anonymous to rethink their sobriety list and include tobacco in all forms. Please, before it kills so many more of your members.
 

Before I begin I must say a big thank you to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for their decision to protect the foster children of our state from secondhand smoke in the home and in vehicles. Even the radio talk show hosts are saying it's a great idea that should be taken further. No child should be exposed to tobacco smoke under any circumstances.

There was a complete irony to this story in another news story here this weekend. A baby with cancer was given a fund raiser for her medical expenses at Floore's Country Store, a smoky bar in Helotes, Texas. I have complained before that this bar should not be hosting events for cancer fund raising as long as they allow smoking, the number one cause of cancer in this country. They really don't get it.

While dressing for work this morning I began thinking about the problems of obesity. The question running through my mind centered around doctors and how they treat the obese. Actually how they treat anyone even 10 pounds over their healthy weight.

I have battled weight problems all of my life. Usually I was 10 - 15 pounds over at most times, but there were those times when I was either quite thin or I was 30 to 40 pounds more than I should have been. I am working on eating properly, and in balance, now and for the rest of my life.

There were only two doctors that made any type of remark. The first suggested I walk daily. The second simply suggested I watch what I ate to help with my acid reflux. No details. No serious suggestions.

There is no question in my mind if a doctor had told me to keep a diary of what I ate each day, and then showed me the error of my ways, I would have made the changes suggested. When a doctor tells us to take a certain pill twice a day we are more prone to do so because he or she cares about us and knows what he or she is doing to make us "better". If a doctor were to give us certain foods that will take away our aches and pains we would see it as any prescription. Many of us just have to be told or taught to do what's right when we are obviously making bad decisions we don't recognize.

The same goes for secondhand smoke. All those years of living and working with tobacco smoke were destroying my lungs. Even when I went to the doctor and said I am having trouble breathing and something is wrong, please do a lung x-ray, I never had a doctor ask if I had been exposed to tobacco smoke.

I would hear rumors or occasional stories about secondhand smoke being dangerous, but because a doctor ignored the possibilities I continued with the exposure. I believed it couldn't be that bad if a doctor didn't even bring it up.

I would beg all doctors to begin the process of questioning all patients about their exposure to secondhand smoke at work, home and play. Don't just give us a pill. We need you to be honest with us and give us the truth.

Tuesday's elections were quite an eye-opener for the country. It was wonderful to see so many people express their opinion on what they want for "their" U.S. of A.

For me the greatest victories were for the health of workers in Ohio, Arizona, and Nevada. Although there were many concessions made that I would not have chosen, the citizens made it very clear; they know secondhand tobacco smoke is harming and killing people in their states and it is time it is stopped.

The concessions that concerned me include bars and casinos that will continue to be allowed to poison their employees. Bar and casino personnel have loudly expressed their dismay that they must work in smoke-filled buildings. Their lungs are suffering, and their hearts damaged.

Studies around the country and overseas have all shown that once smoking is banned from the workplace lung function increases, health improves and sick days are decreased.

Another terrible tragedy of this problem involves the children at home that must endure the chemical compounds on the clothes of their parents when they come home at the end of the day.

I am grateful we are headed in the right direction, and know that every step towards a healthier community will begin the snowball of change.

My greatest sympathy goes to those who live in apartments and condos adjoining someone who smokes. The smoke cannot be contained in the smoked-in unit so it fills the surrounding homes as well making others in the building quite ill. This can even be life-threatening.

This past week I have heard from three different individuals who signed a long lease only to find their homes filled with tobacco smoke. In all three cases the management has said, "Too bad. Leave and you will owe all of your lease or have your credit ruined". My heart just breaks thinking about their anguish.

I do not for the life of me understand why so many apartment management companies are not willing to create separate smoking and non-smoking buildings or, at the least, release these poor people from the contracts so they can find a place to live in peace and good health.

What is wrong with these people? Hotels have done this for years, and now many find it just better to make the whole place completely smoke-free.

Yes, there are a few management companies that have made or are making their buildings smoke-free, but the majority still seem to be content to watch their non-smoking residents suffer.

If anyone has a very large sum of money they would like to invest in an apartment community, I can make them money by eliminating all smoking. You will enjoy profits with less turnover, less maintenance, less fire risk, and fewer complaints from residents. Please contact me. I managed apartments for many years and was certified by the National Apartment Association. We can do this!!!

Management companies and apartment owners - please stop torturing good people because you don't want to tell someone they can't smoke. How ridiculous is that in the 21st Century?

My husband is a graduate of Notre Dame University. This past weekend one of his clients flew us to Chicago with tickets to the Notre Dame vs. Purdue game (great game!). I had only driven through Chicago once and was excited to see more of this old, but proud city. There was only one flaw in the weekend. The secondhand smoke.

It just breaks my heart to see parents taking their children into a restaurant where people are smoking. I watched them coming and going from smoke-filled restaurants all over the city.

Before I was diagnosed with adult-onset asthma in the mid 1990s, just like most people, we would ask for the "no-smoking section". We "thought" we were protected. I was just aggravated that I had to hold my breath to go through the smoking section to the restroom.

But that was before I was forced by health to educate myself on the dangers and what it was doing to my lungs. Knowing what I know now, even without asthma, I would never enter a restaurant or any other business or home where people are allowed to smoke,

Chicago leaders have made a decision to ban smoking in most bars and restaurants, but not until July, 2008. Unfortunately they were duped into believing that air filtration systems will be enough protection, and the ordinance will allow businesses to choose that option.

Air filtration systems do not stop the smoke from seeping under walls and through electrical outlets. The do not stop the smoke from escaping the room every time the door is opened (not to mention when they forget to close the door at all). Those entire buildings will continue to be smoke-filled.

I believe the reason parents continue to take their children into smoky restaurants and the reason city councils continue to make mistakes by not banning smoking indoors completely is lack of education.

The tobacco money from the settlements are still building bridges, not educating the public as it should be. Tobacco companies need to sell their products. They are not going to tell the truth unless forced. Health agencies and non-profit organizations are doing the best they can with the little money they can pull together, but it's not enough.

The one thing I want to say in this blog is, Parents, please do not take your children where smoking is allowed. Restaurant goers, please do not patronize businesses where smoking is permitted. This is the only way the owners will make changes on their own. Tell them you will not give them your business and money unless they protect all employees and customers from the poisonous gases in tobacco smoke.

This past week I was asked to be a witness at a will signing. The attorney, knowing I cannot be around tobacco smoke chemicals, even on the clothes of those who smoke, explained they were both nurses and it should be ok. I mentioned to him that nurses have one of the highest smoking rates of all professions.

Sure enough the secondhand smoke on their clothes were a problem from the moment they entered the office. I explained my asthma and that I would have to wear a mask while they were there. They understood.

This brought to mind that if I am ever in an emergency situation and need medical attention, whether by paramedics, police, or in a hospital, I need some way to communicate that I need smoke-free attendants.

All I would need is for someone with smoke on their clothes to come near me and cause a severe asthma attack. Any more than a brief encounter, assuming I survive the attack, will cause bronchitis. I must look into those bracelets and necklaces with emergency information.

I am so glad to know that some hospitals around the world are beginning to require personnel to stop smoking. I tried last year to convince the hospitals in my home town of San Antonio, Texas to follow suit, but it did not happen. I pray that soon this will become the standard everywhere.

One more point I would like to make. I hear over and over that many people who smoke do not believe secondhand smoke is dangerous. Amazingly, I have not had one smoker not understand when I say I have asthma and must stand away from them because of the smoke on their clothes. They ALWAYS apologize and step back. They know it, they just don't want to hear it.

Jacque Petterson

Years ago, long after I established www.Smoke-FreeRestaurants.com I inquired about the domain name www.Smokefreerestaurants.com. Although I prefer the proper hyphenated version, that little dash can make a difference when someone is searching the Internet. I was told the "dashless" version was not available and given a number to call. The site was basically an empty page with a few simple words that implied it was not being used.

I called the number I was given and was told they were the representatives for the owner of that domain name and that the owners wished to remain anonymous and did not want to release it.

It took a little time, but it finally registered that the tobacco companies had bought the name so no one else could use it.

Today I decided to check the site once again. They have since added some restaurant information. I called one of the restaurants on the site, a Bennigans in Iowa, and was told they are NOT smoke-free.

I am more than ever convinced the site is owned by a tobacco company. Just want the world to hear this. Be sure you understand this, the tobacco companies don't care about you. They only care about their pocketbooks and they don't care how many people they kill or harm to keep those wallets packed.

Saturday was my mom's 72nd birthday. A smoker most of her adult life, she "officially" quit many years ago. She finally confessed something I already knew, she still sneaks one occasionally while sitting on her back porch (I blame other smoking relatives for leading her astray).

We are of the few truly blessed as mom is still in good health, with only an infrequent bout with bronchitis. Mom is not the norm. At her age most have succumbed to lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and death.

Mom had one wish for her birthday. To drive back to the small town of Mirando City, Texas where she spent the most memorable years of her childhood. Not to mention this was where she met our dad.

My sister and I decided a trip to Mirando City would be a special day for all of us. Unfortunately, traveling with me is an experience most would avoid if possible. My lungs require 100% smoke-free air at all times. Texas does not have a smoke-free workplace law of any type, which means something as simple as finding a service station with clean air for those needed restroom stops is questionable.

A fellow traveler, usually my husband, must enter the business, sometimes wait in line for a clerk's attention, and then try to explain why they are asking if smoking is allowed. Ninety-nine percent of the time they assume it is because we want to smoke inside.

The first place we stopped, off Interstate 35 South, said, "Sure, you can if you want to." My little sister then tries to explain we don't want to and that her sister (me) has asthma. They just say, "Oh." Desperate, I put a heavy duty dust mask over my face and run to the ladies room. I can tell immediately if I will have a problem because the mask will not protect me if the smoke is heavy. This time I was very fortunate as the air was fairly clear.

After running back to the car I noticed at least two people came outside to light their cigarettes. It was a shocking picture, but much appreciated. I almost yelled, "thank you," but decided it was best to be grateful in silence.

As we reach Laredo we are starving so we stop at a "family restaurant" called Golden Coral. Surely they will be smoke-free we agreed. My sister jumps out of the car and runs in to ask, "Do you allow smoking in here?" No we don't is the answer. We excitedly park and head for the door. The minute the door opens I see the sign, "Smoking in designated areas only." My sister goes over the conversation she had inside. I have to explain they meant no smoking in "that room." She couldn't believe they didn't understand the question.

We move on to Chili's, but with hesitation, as some still allow smoking. Fortunately this one did not so we gratefully sit down to a wonderful and restful lunch.

Mirando City, a half-hour drive from Laredo, is a tiny little spot on the map. While there a time came to find a ladies room again so we asked a gentleman we met at the school grounds for directions. Our only option was a tiny restaurant called the Red Barn Drive Inn & Restaurant.

First, I did not expect it to be smoke-free, and second it looked from the outside like a biker bar. I left my mom and sister in the car, grabbed my mask, and headed for the door. As I walked in it smelled fresh. I stepped down from the doorway as my eyes adjusted to the light. Inside was a cute little restaurant with red checkered tablecloths and three or four burly guys dining. Not an ashtray in sight.

I'm thinking this can't be real. I'm in a little town in Texas, along the Mexican border, and I find a smoke-free restaurant. I couldn't thank them enough.

The moral of this story is that smoke-free restaurants do exist in rural Texas, many people who smoke are learning to smoke outside, and some Texans (not Texas) get it.

As I develop my smoke-free travel web sites, my dream is to have a list of service stations, including the state, highway and exit numbers, that I can make available online so we can all find smoke-free options for those needed breaks on the road. If you are traveling and wish to make note of these establishments to help others, please forward the information to me and I will post it on a new travel page.