The Tobacco-Free Coalition of Delaware County held a meeting last night at the Kennedy Library in Muncie to rally support for an ordinance that would ban smoking in places such as bars and restaurants across Delaware County.
A board of TFCDC representatives spoke to a group of area residents about the economic and health problems that secondhand smoke in public businesses causes for the county.
Dr. Robert Saywell of the Bowen Research Center at the Indiana University School of Medicine said he estimates that Delaware County currently spends more than $8 million a year in health care costs relating to secondhand smoke-related illnesses.
"Separating smokers and non-smokers just doesn't work," Saywell said. "There is no safe amount of secondhand smoke. We've got to have people perceive this problem."
Mike Kelley, a cancer survivor and local advocate for non-smoking movements, said he has never smoked a cigarette in his life and knew that when he was diagnosed with throat cancer in July 2002 that the cause was secondhand smoke from working in a General Motors automotive plant.
"I'd say a person has the right to do what they want to do," Kelley said. "If someone wants to smoke themselves to death, that's their prerogative, but they don't have the right to give me cancer."
Another focus of the board is to convince the opposition that a comprehensive smoking would have little effect on area businesses.
Michael Martin, manager of Doc's Music Hall in Muncie, sat on the board to talk about his experience with going smoke free.
Martin said he has seen no significant change in business and that he has noticed the need for less maintenance without the damaging effects of cigarette smoke.
The TFCDC concluded the meeting by encouraging those interested in a comprehensive smoking ban on a state or local level to make phone calls and send letters and e-mails to their government representatives.
More information about the TFCDC can be found at tobaccofreedelawarecounty.org.
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