LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Respect smokers and nonsmokers

Martin McColly, Las Vegas

Sun, Jul 6, 2008 (2:02 a.m.)

Since I stopping smoking, I realize that we have a complacent attitude about important issues directly affecting our health.

My addiction to smoking seemed to give me the right to ignore nonsmokers’ rights. As long as I got my craving for nicotine satisfied, that’s all that mattered.

Casinos were my sanctuary. It didn’t bother me that casinos are more concerned about taking my money than looking out for my health.

Now I understand that action taken by Atlantic City has improved matters for all. In terms of smokers, casinos made sure floor space allocated for gaming was equitable. They matched the percentage of the general public that smokes to their gaming floor space for smokers, which is 25 percent. Now there are no bases for complaints by smokers or nonsmokers.

Not that long ago we adjusted to not smoking on public airlines, in buildings, then airports, which was followed by restaurants — but we adjusted. We want the freedom to smoke but it shouldn’t be at the expense of others who don’t want to inhale secondhand smoke.

Now I understand what the big deal is. As a nonsmoker, I’m more sensitive to smoke now.

We’ve been way too complacent about this issue.

A point in fact, though: Nonsmokers need to be more understanding. It isn’t easy to quit and most of us don’t have sufficient will to counteract our addiction. However, it’s time for all of us to speak up and come to terms with the smoking issue once and for all.

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By uddeboda

7/6/08 at 5:07 a.m.

Suggest removal

For years there were people who lobbyied the government say that smoking had nothing to do with cancer, and finally they lost the battle. Some of those people now work for another ""great cause"" that climate change is just a hoax, and yet once again they will battle on trying to convince the government. Just like tobacco, the climate change hoax will be their downfall.
By tobaccobgone

7/6/08 at 7:35 a.m.

Suggest removal

Nicotine addiction is actually irrelevant. What is relevant is to stop, and once stopped never ever start again!!
Since 1988 when then Surgeon General C. Edward Coop announced “that nicotine was as addictive as cocaine or heroin” every governmental agency, non-profit organization, hospital, and university has and continues to be the sales spokesperson for the chemical models of smoke cessation. These models, ranging from Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), antidepressants like Bupropion (Zyban and Wellbutrin), anesthesia shots, and Varenicline (a derivate of the poison Cytisine) sold as Chantix, unfortunately contain very adverse and potentially lethal side- effects, are costly, and have very high relapse rates.
One-third of all quit attempts fail within the first 48 hours, and fewer than 10 percent succeed long-term (more than a year). Currently, all standard chemical models are designed to work mainly on the initial quit event, and leave the five stages of smoking: emotional-shift-self-medicating – give-in –exhaustion formed by smoking’s Habitual Conditioned Responses (CHR) to self-control; commonly called “willpower.”
Please answer this question. What does chemical addiction to nicotine have to do with?
• The emotional reasons for starting the smoking habit i.e. "to be cool" "rebellious" "part of the crowd" "school or work stress" "suffering through a divorce, a bad relationship, or the death of a loved one?
• Thinking of the cigarette as you little friend and companion?
• worries of weight gain if you quit
• Oral and hand fixations?
• smoking only when bored or stressed
• only smoking a set number of cigarettes per day or week; often for years
• The occasional smoking--- Lighting-up only when, partying, weekends or on vacations?
• Using only certain tobaccos or cigarette brands--- even going without rather that using off brands?
• The urges to smoke at certain "key" moments (with coffee or tea, after a meal, when the phone rings, in the car, at the computer, watching TV, with alcohol, taking a work break), or when emotional (lonely, sad, or angry)?
• The harsh withdrawal not associated to nicotine?
Conclusion: willpower and a patch, pill, shot, or gum is costly, ineffective for long-term relapse prevention, potential lethal, and can actually increase the smoking habit
Solution: The TobaccoB’Gone Stop for Life System: a strict step-by-step approach to stop smoking in an effective and healthy manner, with no adverse side-effects, use the non-chemical herb-free, safe, and reusable TobaccoB’Gone Stop for Life System.
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By AgMallard

7/6/08 at 9 a.m.

Suggest removal

Bottom line: passive smoke consumption is a fully documented health risk for everyone. It is just plain foolish to put the health of casino workers at chronic risk because our political leaders are total wimps when it comes to forcing the gamming industry in becoming responsible community partners.

Smoking is legal thus adults actually have a right to poison themselves to death. What isn’t ethical is that those that work in casinos should have to breathe the same poisons just to make a living. Interesting that class action suits have not come forward like they had in NJ prior to their ban.

And yes empathy is in order for those addicted to tobacco, but only for those who respect the health of others.
By azsk8fan

7/16/08 at 7:38 a.m.

Suggest removal

Bottom line: People can either choose to work or NOT work in a smoke filled casino. Since cigarettes are a LEGAL substance it should be left to the people and the businesses involved - if a bar wants to let their patrons smoke AND eat all in the same place then peple can choose to patronize that business or NOT - if this country is so 'free' explain please why a business isn't free to set their own guidelines - no one is forcing a non-smoker to patronize the place.
By wynner

8/2/08 at 1:57 a.m.

Suggest removal

Make no mistake, a non-smoking gaming environment is in the best interest of patrons and employees. Until we get there, something should be said about the behavioral aspect of this problem: lack of good human nature, common courtesy and respect for one another. Behavioral qualities that have 'gone up in smoke'.

FACT 1: A cigarette contaminates the air with poison.
FACT 2: Non-smokers dislike it when a smoker sits next to them and lights up without extending the courtesy of asking "would you mind if I smoked a cigarette?"

In the last five years of living and gaming in Las Vegas only TWO smokers have ever extended the courtesy of asking me if smoking a cigarette would bother me while I play. My response is, "thank you so much for asking...I do wear contacts and won't mind if you exhale upward and set your cigarette in between the machines when not smoking it". SIMPLE. Everyone is happy. Non-smokers know that a casino is no different than any other social environment that permits smoking. NON-SMOKERS SIMPLY DON'T WANT SMOKE DRIFTING IN THEIR GAMING SPACE (particularly their face) WHILE THEY PLAY.

My suggestion to smokers is to decide BEFORE leaving the house if you are willing to politely ask the folks sitting next around you "would you mind if I smoke a cigarette? - I will be very considerate as to not direct smoke at you". Use ash trays, refrain from putting butts out on the casino carpets and remove ashes off your game when you cash out. If that extension of good nature isn't worth the risk of missing out on a cigarette, then seek help to save yourself and those around you.