Please make Philadelphia smoke-free
by Vicki D. Lachman
March 27 was the first day of the rest of Scotland’s smoke-free
life. The Scots joined an abundant number of countries that have put their
citizens’ health above the tobacco industry profits. The same day,
I sat in the chambers of Philadelphia City Council as they discussed AGAIN
whether to make Philadelphia a smoke-free city for the countless restaurant
workers and bartenders in this city. It was clear from the presentations
by physicians, health promotion representatives and representatives of
minority agencies throughout this city that the facts on secondhand smoke
do not move many people to support the idea. The facts were numerous and
compelling. For example, one out of six people who die of lung cancer,
die from secondhand smoke. Dana Reeves was a recent, notable example.
Secondhand smoke profoundly affects our children who have asthma and it
causes premature births in mothers.
We in Chestnut Hill have done a lot to make our restaurant environments
smoke-free. Thank you Fiesta Pizza, McNally’s and other fine restaurants/bars
who have done what was needed to protect workers and patrons from the
49 cancer-causing chemicals in cigarette smoke.
Greg Welsh spoke at the Council meeting about asking his employees to
make the decision for Chestnut Hill Grill. They supported the decision
to be smoke-free and now we have yet another restaurant that is free of
noxious chemicals in Chestnut Hill. I went to Greg after his presentation
and thanked him. He said a curious thing to me that I will forever treasure.
He said, “Thank you for pushing us to do it.”
I take no credit for his employees’ decision, but I want to push
other restaurants in Chestnut Hill to let their employees decide. Therefore,
that day I called the only restaurants in Chestnut Hill that still allow
smoking in their premises. I said, “I would like to make a reservation,
but I heard you still allowed smoking in the bar part of your restaurant.”
Because no known ventilation system can clear the carcinogens from the
air, I was curious as to what they would say. I would like to share their
responses to my concern about allowing smoking in the bar area of an open
restaurant.
1. CinCin: “Maybe you could sit in the back room.”
2. Melting Pot: “Yes, you would have to walk through our bar that
allows smoking; perhaps, you could try Center City.”
3. Solaris Grill: “Yes, we do allow smoking in our bar area and
you would have to walk through that area, but the rest of our restaurant
is smoke–free.”
Having been in Solaris in the last month, I was unfortunate enough to
have been seated next to the open bar area. My friend and I smelled smoke
our entire meal. When I called the next day, I was told that that was
unusual. I went a week later to see and guess what? It was not unusual.
That was the end of my patronage to Solaris, which I loved. Even in their
outdoor area, you can end up next to a smoking table and be infiltrated
by the noxious smell of cigarette smoke.
But you may say why make a fuss when 90 percent of our Chestnut Hill
restaurants are smoke-free? I say because there are people who work in
the other 10 percent who are slowly dying from cancer or heart disease,
and do not know it. If you frequent CinCin, Melting Pot or Solaris Grill,
please ask them to care not only about you but about the people who serve
you.
Vicki D. Lachman holds a master’s in psychiatric nursing and a
Ph.D in education. Lachman is an associate professor in the College of
Nursing and Health Professions at Drexel University. She is a 29-year
resident of Chestnut Hill who serves on the board of Chestnut Hill Healthcare.
|
