However, many of us grew up in a time when the links had not yet been made - when we had not yet realized that smoky environments compromised the health of ourselves and those around us. This doesn't mean that we can continue to ignore the obvious. Businesses are already moving in this direction. Most restaurants and public buildings provide special areas for their non-smoking customers and workers. While these efforts definitely help, we have to be careful not to fool ourselves.
Tobacco smoke is a complicated pollutant - an airborne mixture of toxic particles and gases.
Ventilation systems recirculate the polluted air, spreading the smoke through the airspace rather than getting rid of it. Turning on a fan, opening a window, filtering the air, blowing smoke away from our colleagues, friends, or children - none of these solves the problem. The only way to eliminate the risk of exposure to second-hand smoke is to provide contained, separately ventilated smoking rooms. This solution is expensive for small business owners, and the health risks are compounded for smokers, who are then exposed to even greater levels of second-hand smoke. Moving Ahead Together Public education and personal inspiration and conviction are all necessary ingredients of positive social change.