Tobacco Documents Online

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Page 2 LEVEL 1- 1 OF 47 STORIES Copyright 1996 The Buffalo News The Buffalo News February 16, 1996, Friday, CITY EDITION SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE, Pg. 2C LENGTH: 283 words HEADLINE: SCIENTIFIC PROOF ELUDES THOSE WHO DAMN SECOND-HAND SMOKE BODY: The Jan. 25 comments of Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Arnold Lubin in support of his proposed Erie County smoking ban require a response. Dr. Lubin says, "Our objective is to limit the places where smokers can smoke so that they don't impose potentially serious health effects on non-smokers." I suspect that Dr. Lubin is familiar with the Congressional Research Service report that, following a 20-month investigation of the scientific studies regarding so-called second-hand smoke, concludes: "The results are not definitive. And even at the greatest (exposure) levels, the measured risks are still subject to uncertainty." Although complex and written in the language of careful scientists, the report is a major blow to those who seek to ban smoking on the basis of harm to non-smokers. Dr. Lubin states categorically that restaurant-business losses caused by smoking are only short term. That is not true. In New York City, research commissioned by the National Smokers Alliance indicates that six months into that city's smoking ban, 70 percent of restaurateurs surveyed indicated average revenue losses of 16.3 percent, with 42.4 percent indicating they had been forced to lay off employees. Restaurants are labor-intensive, low-margin businesses that depend on discretionary spending for survival. Restaurant owners recognize that they are in a service industry and attempt to meet the needs of the marketplace, setting their own smoking policies to appeal to their customers. Those who wish to ban smoking should do so. But they -- not Dr. Lubin -- should decide. THOMAS HUMBER President and CEO National Smokers Alliance Alexandria, VA GRAPHIC: Arnold Lubin: calls for ban. I