Letter to the Editor

Support LB395

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Dear Editor,

Last week the Nebraska Legislature began debate on LB395, this bill which is known as the Nebraska Indoor Clean Air Act. This is a measure, which is something all Nebraska residents should seriously consider supporting. I have always personally felt that government should be extremely careful when it begins to regulate how a private business can be operated.

Let me pose this question to the readers in the area. Why is now the right time to introduce and pass this legislation? Let's try to answer that question. In the United States right now, 22 states have some type of strong smoke-free legislation, and eight of these states have the kind of legislation similar to what Nebraska wants to do.

We keep hearing about the harmful effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke and how it leads to a multitude of health problems with cancer ranking near the top of that list. In Nebraska we spend $134 million annually in Medicaid on smoking related illnesses; add in the $537 million in healthcare costs directly caused by smoking, plus $499 million in lost productivity annually.

The numbers are staggering and begin to give a glimpse of why our insurance and Medicaid and Medicare spending is skyrocketing. Is this reason enough to support smoke-free legislation? I feel it is, this is something that will benefit everyone in this state.

The fact is over the last 20 years, smoke-free places have become more common. I can remember a time when you could smoke on an airplane, and when you went out to eat they didn't ask "smoking or non-smoking" because the entire restaurant was a smoking area. In closing, let me say that the facts are overwhelming and the time has come for Nebraska to pass statewide smoke-free legislation and I urge you to contact Senator Christensen and ask him to support LB 395.

If breathing cleaner air is important to you when you are working or spending a "night on the town" then let your elected officials know this. Your voice will make a difference.

Sincerely,

Shane Smith

American Cancer Society Ambassador

McCook

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