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Commissioners Made Right Decision With Vote

A level playing field. That's all we asked for when it comes to public health and protecting against harmful secondhand smoke.

And that's what the Delaware County commissioners gave the citizens Monday night when they unanimously voted to extend a workplace ban on smoking cigarettes to include bars, taverns and virtually every public building. No more exemptions. Everybody is now playing under the same set of rules.

It was the right thing to do and we applaud the commissioners for taking a stand for public health.

Opponents of the ban stated strong and legitimate arguments against government intrusion into the private affairs of citizens and small-business owners. But the safety and health of citizens trumps those concerns. Government is well within its power to protect the health and welfare of Delaware County.

By enacting a partial workplace smoking cigarettes ban in 2006, county government started down the path of protecting citizen health against secondhand smoke. Monday night's vote was another important step. Now it's time for the state to enact a comprehensive ban with no exemptions, including casinos, to complete the process.

That day will come, eventually.

Perhaps as a surprise to some people, commissioners Larry Bledsoe and Todd Donati had a change of heart from earlier indications that they would not support the ban. Public opinion played a crucial role, and we're pleased that our elected representatives were paying attention.

This smoking cigarettes ban should be an economic shot in the arm to the county. Proponents of the ordinance told The Star Press editorial board that employers look for a healthy workforce, one that will not take time off from work and will help keep health premiums in check. This ordinance will help do that. And maybe this ordinance will help persuade more people to kick the smoking cigarettes habit. That's surely a good thing.

Delaware County has a history of taking a leadership position in the public health field, and this ordinance will maintain that legacy. Unfortunately, surveys show the county ranks low in overall health and quality-of-life issues. In other words, we are simply unhealthy. We think that, given time, our rankings will improve, and this ordinance will be a key factor in moving the needle.

And it's all because three people -- Donati, Bledsoe and Don Dunnuck -- took a stand for public health. Well done.

Other cigarettes news and tobacco market events you can find at links bellow:

   • Best-Buy-Cigarettes.Com Tobacco News

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   • CigarettesOn.Com Tobacco News