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Eating Your Food in Peace

 

            Imagine going out to a nice dinner with your family, and when you arrive the host/hostess tells you there is a 40-minute wait. You consider leaving when she replies, "There is no wait in the smoking section if you would like to sit there." To avoid the wait or going to a different restaurant you say yes. Sitting in the smoking section just this once can't be too bad, right?.
             Every year, approximately 450,000 people die of an illness related to their smoking. But smokers are not the only ones whose health can suffer. Breathing secondhand smoke can be a hazard to your health and the health of children. This is why smoking should be made illegal in all restaurants.
             The more often you"re around secondhand smoke, the greater your risk for health problems. Second-hand smoke contains hundreds of chemicals, approximately 43 of which are known carcinogens. Second-hand smoke is actually considered to be more toxic than the smoke inhaled directly by smokers. This is because the smoke particles are smaller and are inhaled deeper into the lungs. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a non-smoker can inhale 10 times more toxic compounds than a smoker. Levels of second-hand smoke are about two to three times greater in restaurants and bars with no smoking restrictions than in offices. Due to this, workers in the hospitality industry have a higher risk of developing lung cancer.
             Can you believe that secondhand smoke each year causes about 3,000 lung cancer deaths (in the U.S.)? These are adults who don't smoke themselves, and maybe thought it was harmless to be around people who do smoke. A study published in the journal Pediatrics estimated that about half of the early childhood cases of asthma, chronic bronchitis, and wheezing are attributable to exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke.
             Most people even prefer a non-smoking restaurant. The National Restaurant Association conducted a survey in 1996 that showed more than 62% of all Americans choose smoke-free restaurants over ones that allow smoking.


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