Extinguish outdoor smoking

There's no risk-free level of exposure to second-hand smoke, according to a 2006 U.S. Surgeon General's report. Knowing this, it makes sense to ban smoking in public places, including those that are outdoors.

The Davis County Board of Health is contemplating an ordinance that would impose a ban in places such as parks, stadiums or at sporting events. This ordinance should be adopted. There is some debate, though, whether golf courses or amusement parks should have designated smoking areas. If one strictly follows medical science, the obvious choice is "no exceptions."

The matter is somewhat ticklish because some of these venues are privately owned and owners want to be able to accommodate customers who spend several hours using their facilities. A better solution would be for private facilities to arrive at smoking restrictions on their own.

Utah's Hogle Zoo, for instance, was not subject to Salt Lake City's outdoor smoking ban. The board of directors of the nonprofit organization took it upon itself to ban smoking in public areas, including parking lots, effective January 2007. Smokers can take breaks to smoke in their cars and be readmitted to the zoo. The policy appears to work well.

If the board of health adopts the outdoor smoking ban, it would join Sandy, Salt Lake City and Midvale, among other cities, that have established such prohibitions. Clinton, a northern Davis County city, was the first city in Utah to institute such a ban. Seemingly, the board of health would have greater latitude to impose restrictions on venues supported by tax dollars.

The proliferation of these ordinances should send a strong message to smokers: Public policy is systematically limiting places you may light up. Recently, state lawmakers considered a bill to prohibit smoking in automobiles in the presence of children ages 5 and under. The bill passed the Senate but stalled in the House Rules Committee, which was regrettable because exposure to second-hand smoke exponentially increases the risks of developing heart disease and lung cancer.

It's somewhat difficult to comprehend, knowing what we know about the health hazards of smoking, that people continue to take up the habit. It can be very difficult to conquer a tobacco addiction, so the wisest course is to not start smoking, or to make a diligent effort to quit.