The most recent Sunday Focus in The Natchez Democrat highlighted an extremely important issue in our community.

Exposure to secondhand smoke is a major public health problem that must be addressed, and I am delighted to see The Natchez Democrat take the lead on informing the citizens of Natchez about the ongoing conversation focused on protecting everyone’s right to breathe smokefree air.

As a member of Smokefree Natchez and program director of the Mississippi Tobacco Free Coalition of Adams, Jefferson and Franklin Counties, I have had the opportunity to work with individuals from the business, public health, government, faith-based and education communities to for years to share the benefits of smokefree policies. The overall goal in the process is to make Natchez a healthier city. A critical step in that process is passing a comprehensive smokefree ordinance that protects everyone, including people who work in restaurants and bars.

The position of our coalition is, has always been and will continue to be pro-health, pro-workers and pro-Natchez. For those individuals who do not smoke but work in smoke-filled environments, the risk of heart disease and lung cancer can be increased by up to 30%. Prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke, which can come in the form of long shifts in smoky restaurants or bars, can also lead to an increased risk of sinus and respiratory infections.

These are not acceptable tradeoffs when there is a clear solution to this problem. Smokefree ordinances have been passed in more than 80 communities across Mississippi. From Centreville to Corinth, cities and towns throughout our state have taken the steps to protect citizens from secondhand smoke bypassing comprehensive smokefree ordinances.

It must also be made clear that our pro-health, pro-worker stance does not mean we are not pro-business. Several members of our coalition and other champions of smokefree workplaces in Natchez are successful business. Healthy workers are good for business, and business owners can also benefit from reduced costs that come along with being smokefree.

Earlier this summer, Smokefree Natchez ran educational billboards featuring some of these restaurant owners who support smokefree workplaces. One of those billboards featured the owners of Rolling River Bistro. During our conversations with them in preparation for this brief campaign, they spoke of their tremendous pride in having a smokefree establishment. They also mentioned how being smokefree protected employees and customers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

Several other Natchez restaurants and bars have taken steps to protect their patrons and employees from secondhand smoke, and their efforts have moved us closer to where we need to be. However, as long as there are individuals in Natchez exposed to the toxins in secondhand smoke at work, we will continue to educate citizens and policymakers on the benefits of smokefree policy and advocate for a comprehensive smokefree ordinace that protects all citizens from the dangers of secondhand smoke.

All workplaces and public spaces in Natchez can be and should be safe, healthy, and smokefree. We will continue working side by side with community leaders, business owners, city officials, activists and citizens to make our community a better place to live, work and visit.

 

Paige Dickey is the program director of the Mississippi Tobacco Free Coalition of and Adams, Jefferson and Franklin Counties.