Strengthening Smoke Free Law in Wheat Ridge Makes Sense
I am a new Wheat Ridge resident in Wheat Ridge and I support the Council and Mayor in moving forward with the ordinance to strengthen the city’s smoke free law and include provisions that will help reduce youth tobacco use.
Most people do not smoke. Most people obey the law. Most people who smoke want to quit. And, I would guess, most people that oppose this law are addicted individuals who are upset that the habit that they know is bad for them and everyone around them is slowly becoming more and more prohibited in public places. The science behind the harmful effects of secondhand smoke is indisputable. And, it has been shown that restricting where people can smoke helps those that want to quit, quit and stay quit.
There is no constitutional right to smoke. You may have heard from constituents who oppose this ordinance saying that it is encroaching on their rights. But, what about my right to breathe clean air? What about my right to live in an environment free of tobacco litter?
Although I am a Colorado native, I lived in California for several years and observed first hand the changed social norms around tobacco use in outdoor areas such as the beaches and parks. I witnessed a teenager politely point out the no smoking sign on the beach and ask a woman to put out her cigarette. The woman initially seemed irritated with the request, but she obliged, and even apologized that she didn’t know about the law. Valuable police resources were unnecessary.
Protecting the health of youth wherever possible is paramount. And regulating tobacco retailers is where to do this. Retailers that sell deadly products need to be strictly regulated. Liquor licenses are expensive and there are harsh penalties for those caught selling to minors. Why should tobacco be treated any differently? Those that don’t want to abide by retail laws can simply choose not to sell the product.
It would be ideal if those that used tobacco only did so when they were in the company of those that don’t mind the horrible stench and if every single cigarette butt was thrown away in trash receptacles. Unfortunately, this is far from the case. It is within local councils’ job responsibilities to protect the public’s health. I urge the Wheat Ridge City Council and Mayor to do the right thing.
Lynnette Namba
