Like It or Not, Servers Are Second-hand Smokers

One of the features of the Governor’s Conference on Public Health tomorrow (Thursday) is an event called “Smoke Free Taste of Iowa.” Keven Arrowsmith, the spokesman for the state Division of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control, says the event highlights smoke-free restaurants around the state. He says these restaurants have not only recognized the importance of a healthy environment for their customers, but for their workers as well. Arrowsmith says second-hand smoke can be a big danger to the state’s bartenders, waiters, waitresses and other restaurant staff. He says some of those people are exposed to a smoke-filled environment for eight to ten hours a day, depending on the length of their shift. Arrowsmith can’t say how many of the restaurants have banned the butts, but he says it appears the number is growing. He says one of the restaurant owners he talked to said his patrons have been to some of the best restaurants in the world and they were smoke-free, so he says they want smoke-free restaurants now. There will also be some special guests at the event. He says they’ll also be honoring the Iowans who volunteered to help with the recovery after the 9-11 disaster. The event will include a smorgasbord for those attending the conference.