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The backers of an anti-smoking petition have endured many trials and tribulations in their quest to provide us all with cleaner air. It would be comical if it was not such a serious health issue.
Proponents of limiting smoking in public places in Nevada have been forced to not only collect signatures and do the legwork of a citizen initiative in an effort to do what Nevada lawmakers should be doing, namely protecting the health of the state's residents, but they've been forced to go to court as well.
Good news surfaced this week for the Nevada Clean Air Initiative, however, when Nevada Secretary of State Dean Heller agreed to send the anti-smoking petition to the Legislature. If lawmakers don't approve it outright, the measure will get on the 2006 election ballot.
Heller made the move after a federal judge in Las Vegas said Heller erroneously required the petitioners to get more signatures than they really had to to qualify for the ballot.
Really, should it take this much legal effort to clear the air of cigarette smoke? Only in Nevada, because of the ubiquitous slot machines, will you breath cigarette smoke as you shop the aisles at the local grocery store.
It's a medical fact that secondhand smoke is dangerous. Smoking related illness costs Nevada employers millions of dollars in medical costs, not to mention lost productivity.
And what about the rights of the majority of people who don't smoke? Don't they have the right to breath clean air?
The Clean Air petition has the endorsement of the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association. Another petition, one supported by the casino industry and bar owners, also will go to lawmakers.
Laws curbing the amount of secondhand smoke are woefully needed in Nevada, a state that typically ranks low in most health surveys.
Looking out for the health of the state's residents should be a priority for lawmakers. We urge action soon to clean up the air.
Proponents of limiting smoking in public places in Nevada have been forced to not only collect signatures and do the legwork of a citizen initiative in an effort to do what Nevada lawmakers should be doing, namely protecting the health of the state's residents, but they've been forced to go to court as well.
Good news surfaced this week for the Nevada Clean Air Initiative, however, when Nevada Secretary of State Dean Heller agreed to send the anti-smoking petition to the Legislature. If lawmakers don't approve it outright, the measure will get on the 2006 election ballot.
Heller made the move after a federal judge in Las Vegas said Heller erroneously required the petitioners to get more signatures than they really had to to qualify for the ballot.
Really, should it take this much legal effort to clear the air of cigarette smoke? Only in Nevada, because of the ubiquitous slot machines, will you breath cigarette smoke as you shop the aisles at the local grocery store.
It's a medical fact that secondhand smoke is dangerous. Smoking related illness costs Nevada employers millions of dollars in medical costs, not to mention lost productivity.
And what about the rights of the majority of people who don't smoke? Don't they have the right to breath clean air?
The Clean Air petition has the endorsement of the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association. Another petition, one supported by the casino industry and bar owners, also will go to lawmakers.
Laws curbing the amount of secondhand smoke are woefully needed in Nevada, a state that typically ranks low in most health surveys.
Looking out for the health of the state's residents should be a priority for lawmakers. We urge action soon to clean up the air.
