Smoking is bad for business

As a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, which is opposing the smoking ban, I would like to clarify that there are many members who do support making Cape Girardeau smoke-free. I am not going to revisit why smoking or passive smoking is bad for your health -- that's clear. Instead, I want to let others know that chambers in Santa Monica, Calif., Greater Manchester, N.H., Myrtle Beach S.C., among others, understand smoke-free laws promote economic growth by reducing health care costs and lost productivity.

The president of the Beaumont, Texas chamber indicated the ban has not affected business whatsoever. The board of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce unanimously endorsed making all workplaces, including restaurants and bars, 100 percent smoke-free. In doing so they indicated they could do something to create a truly healthy environment for employees and customers while helping businesses with their bottom line. Milwaukee bars and clubs indicate there were many complaints before the ban, but now people are pretty satisfied.

For local businesses to allow smoking, despite its ill effects, they are essentially turning away the majority of customers like me who do not smoke. Someone overeating or not taking care of themselves are not hurting me -- only themselves, so that is a bad argument. We work hard to crack down on meth, yet smoking is just as addictive, and tobacco companies pay big money to keep the habit going.

As a chamber member, I say smoke-filled establishments are bad for business.

MARYANN GUDERMUTH, Cape Girardeau