Smoking Vote a Retreat From Good Public Policy

The state Senate’s about-face on a ban on smoking in private clubs with non-member employees represents a setback for public health.

On Monday, senators overturned their own vote from one week ago that established the ban. It now goes back to the state House.

It would be nice to think that state representatives will remember that no worker in Maine can be forced to breathe toxins like asbestos or chemical fumes. So it should be with tobacco smoke, a proven carcinogen.

Unfortunately, this Legislature is also poised to relax smoking restrictions in private clubs. Under existing law, a majority of private- club members have to vote to undo the ban on cigarettes for it to happen. However, a new bill would only require a majority of those voting in the election to approve.

Mainers smoke 92 million packs of cigarettes each year. About 600 will develop smoking-related cases of lung cancer. The cost to the health care system is staggering. And at more than $5 a pack, pack- a-day smokers can expect to inhale more than $1,800 a year.

The bill is an unfortunate change of course for a state that has been leading the nation with its smoking policies.

This year, Maine became the first state to get a perfect score from the American Lung Association for its efforts to curb smoking. Maine earned this recognition by being consistently tough on tobacco use. Last year, the state raised its cigarette tax from $1 to $2 a pack, which is a proven way to discourage smoking.

Given that second-hand smoke is a proven cancer-causing agent, there is simply no legitimate argument for forcing people to endure it as a condition of their employment. That’s why smoking is barred from most workplaces, including restaurants and bars.

Why should the law be any different for the employees of private clubs?