Chalk One Up For Nels!

[dhyatt]

I'm not saying he's right to back a ban but at least he has some science on his side!

Study: Air Worse In Smoky Bars Than Truck-Choked Roads
Bars Can Have 50 Times More Cancer-Causing Particles

POSTED: 11:31 AM EDT September 19, 2004
UPDATED: 11:36 AM EDT September 19, 2004

TRENTON, N.J. -- The man who first showed secondhand smoke causes thousands of lung cancer deaths now says the air in smoky bars and casinos is far worse than in city streets clogged with trucks.

In fact, the biophysicist says smoked-filled bars can have up to 50 times more cancer-causing particles in the air than roads clogged with diesel trucks at rush hour.

James Repace conducted his study by testing air in a casino, a pool hall and six taverns in Delaware before and after the state imposed a strict indoor smoking ban.

He says what he found inside far exceeds what the government allows outdoors on roadways.

The study also shows that indoor pollution nearly disappears once smoking is banned.

Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[johnb]

He'd have a point if someone puts a gun to your head and forces you to smoke or forces you to snort exhaust fumes.

However, since that is not the case it gets filed under "factual but irrelevant information".

If non-smokers, such as yours truly here, don't like the presence of smokers in a restraunt they (I) can leave or not go there in the first place. If they (I) feel *really* passionate about it they (I) can tell the owner why we left and won't go back. Since they (I) don't own the restraunt it isn't their (my) place to decorate it, set the menu, or establish the smoking policy.

[hollyL]

I think the drunk driver leaving from the bar will kill ya faster than the smoke :-D