Peter Walkley, MD

To the editor:

In March and April several prominent area restaurants enacted a smoke free policy for their establishments. In doing so, they join a growing list of Lakes Region and Twin Rivers dining and entertaining facilities which respect the individual rights of patrons and employees to be able to breathe clean air. The LRGHealthcare staff, from nurses and clerks to housekeepers and doctors, applauds and thanks the management of these restaurants for their courage and foresight.

The link from second-hand smoke to multiple diseases, such as asthma, heart attacks and cancer, is firmly established. Second-hand smoke has been labeled a Class A carcinogen by the FDA. This is the same as asbestos. We wouldn’t allow someone to spray asbestos while we eat; why would we allow equally dangerous second-hand smoke?

We applaud the legislators who supported the recent bill, narrowly defeated by the Senate that would have protected the individual rights of diners and food service workers. We are lucky, however, that there are a growing number of choices that allow for clean air dining. We would encourage you to seek out and visit these restaurants. As healthcare professionals, we will.

Peter Walkley, MD

Chief of Staff, LRGHealthcare