09/11/2008: "Letters On Smoking Ban"

---------------------------------------Rules Are As Good As The Enforcement
To the Editor:

If anyone has read my previous letters ( See below -Ed.) in various papers on the subject they would know that I am all for the ban on smoking in public places.

I watched my mother die a slow and painful death thanks to her smoking and I am still suffering the health consequences of growing up with a chain smoker. That being said, I agree that "Discussion On Smoking Ban Continued" another ordinance is just a waste of paper and taxpayer money without enforcement. Very little if anything is being done to enforce the current State law so why create another one.

Educate people, have the DOH plaster signs everywhere and give funds to the Sheriff's Department to ENFORCE THE STATE LAW ALREADY ON THE BOOKS!

It comes down to a simple fact that every experienced parent and teacher has learned while dealing with even the youngest child ... "Don't make rules with consequences unless you are willing to enforce them."

Tom Tillman
Orcas Island
---------------------------------------25 Foot Law Not Adequate
To the Editor:

Re: "Tobacco Costs to Employers and Employees"

I don't really see what the point of the 25 foot law is if it is not enforced. If you look at the front door to the grocery store, the pharmacy, the tavern, almost anywhere I see people standing right in front of the door smoking away.

My favorite is the people who set their lit cigarette next to the door while they go in and shop so they can recover it off the ground when they come back out.

25 feet has become a nominal 25 inches at most. I watched my mother die a horrible death, stuck in bed for 10 years thanks to smoking and I sucked in second hand smoke for the first 20 years of my life. If people want to smoke that is their choice - just don't make me or my children have to "enjoy" it with you.

From what I can tell the State leaves it up to local Health Departments to enforce the law. My questions would be how many citations have actually been issued in San Juan County since the law was passed? Has the County Health Department made a concerted effort on all islands to get signs posted about the law in places where violations are frequent - the signs are available from the State website?

Tom Tillman
Orcas island