The college tradition of chain-smoking in diners at 3 a.m. is under threat by a bill passed in the Connecticut state Senate that may ban smoking in bars, restaurants and all workplaces with more than five employees.
A statewide smoking ban hits home with students at Fairfield because of the recent ban on smoking in any building, including the residence halls, which was enacted this academic year and met with frustration by student smokers.
“I would say about 60 percent of Fairfield students smoke at one time or another,” said Matt Reiner, ’05.
The bill to ban smoking in the state was easily approved by the state senate and the state House is expected to approve it this week. Connecticut Governor John G. Rowland told the public he will sign the bill
Currently, Connecticut State law requires restaurants that seat more than 75 people to have non-smoking areas. However, many people argue that second-hand smoke infiltrates from smoking sections into non-smoking sections, and should thus be banned.
The bill is primarily concerned with the issue of second-hand smoke, not the regulation of whether or not people choose to smoke in their own right. Thirty-four states currently impose some type of restriction on smoking in restaurants.
According to a UCLA study, second-hand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing 53,000 nonsmokers each year.
Most non-smokers interviewed by The Mirror approved the new legislation. “[It is a] good thing because smoking is really inconsiderate to people who don’t smoke, second-hand smoke is really detrimental to your health,” said Chrissie Mayer, 05. What’s wrong with going outside? You could meet a new friend.”
Smoking is a huge part of the culture at bars and diners, where roughly one in three adults uses a tobacco product, according to the anti-smoking group Action on Smoking and Health.
This statistic seems to hold true around Fairfield. Going into the popular Athena Diner at any point in the day or night, one is bound to see groups of Fairfield students hanging out and talking while enjoying a social smoke.
Not having this freedom would be very aggravating to those who take pleasure in the fine art of chain smoking.
“I feel like it is a violation of my rights to not be able to smoke while I am at a bar,” said Virginia Chaves, ’05.
Would students still enjoy going to a bar or diner as much if they couldn’t smoke?
When asked if a ban would impact business negatively, most business owners interviewed by the Mirror said no.
Financially, a smoking ban may not affect restaurants negatively.
Close by, in New York City, there is a smoking ban in restaurants, which was enacted in 1995.
Since then, the Journal Of Public Health Management and Practice reports that there has not been a negative affect on sales. In fact, it actually resulted in increased of business and revenue.
“I do not feel that my habit should be imposed on others who do not want it,” Reiner, ’05, added about going to restaurants. “Plus when I go out I want to enjoy my food not others smoke as well as mine.”
People have mixed reactions about the imminent ban, but regardless of how they feel, if the ban goes through they wont have a choice. “I chose to smoke, but I would definitely be compliant if such a ban was enacted,” added Chaves, ’05.
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