Foodies are well-aware of the reviews restaurants are given.  But there is one grade recently released that should be worrisome to those that visit coffee shops, food trucks, and simply enjoy open-air dining in Orange County.  The American Lung Association (ALA) recently released its 2012 State of Tobacco Control grading report for every city and county in California.  The ALA report includes an evaluation of cities’ restrictive policies about smoking on restaurant patios.  30 out of 34 Orange County cities received an “F” grade for their poor level of tobacco control. 

Move over stomach, the lungs also have a part in the dining experience.  We all know, enjoying the sunshine over a cup of coffee can be clouded by someone smoking nearby.  Ambiance has a huge influence on a restaurant’s appraisal.  But above all, concern stems from the health risks that accompany the slightest contact with secondhand smoke.  The outdoors should be for everyone to enjoy.  The American Lung Association urges local involvement to address the gaping holes in the county’s health policies.  Tens of thousands of nonsmoking Americans die from lung cancer and heart disease alone, as a result of exposure to cigarette smoke.

Research shows that smoking outdoors in the open air doesn’t fix secondhand smoke problems.  One study recorded nearly the same amount of cigarette smoke in a cruse ship’s casino as the levels recorded outdoors, as the ship was cruising at 20 knots. 

Contrary to popular misconception, smokefree dining is good for business – ask thriving businesses like Starbucks and Chipotle that have restricted smoking on their outdoor patios.  Unaffected sales revenue and employment levels prove smokefree policies do not hurt the hospitality industry, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control. 

Encouraging restaurants to go smokefree is not the same as asking for the abolishment of cigarettes, and certainly isn’t the request to banish smoking altogether.  Rather, the proven link between secondhand smoke and consequential illness requires that steps be taken to protect the public from unwanted exposure.  In factories and auto shops, we have rules in place to limit public exposure to chemicals.  But permissive smoking policies in Orange County mean residents are unwillingly exposed to over 4,000 chemicals found in cigarette smoke.  These same chemicals are found in rat poison, gasoline, car exhaust, and pesticides. 

Smokers make the personal choice to smoke.  But smoking in a public area takes away public choice.  Secondhand smoke is an optionless risk.  This is not another public service announcement about the dangers of secondhand smoke.  This is a call to action for all food-lovers that have an interest in heath for themselves and their loved ones.  This is a call to action for restaurants and organizations that have an interest in their image and appeal.  This State of Tobacco Control Report exposes the need for community-wide activism to achieve leadership and support from local elected officials.

Interested in signing a smokefree dining petition or pledging your restaurant to go smokefree?  Contact jmonji@canoc.org.