EDITORIAL: Smoking cessation

Publication Date: 2005-03-29

• Author:Editorial
• Publication:Burlington (VT) Free Press

Legislator Francis Brooks sums up the debate about banning smoking in Vermont bars in one sentence: It's all about health.

Bar employees and patrons shouldn't be exposed to second-hand smoke. And the Vermont Legislature should take a leadership role in reining in health-care costs.

For Brooks, chairman of the House General, Housing and Military Affairs Committee, it's straightforward. How the rest of the committee feels about the issue will be evident in a discussion and possible vote today. . . .

Burlington, South Burlington, Williston and Winooski have led the way by banning smoking in their local bars. The Vermont Legislature can no longer turn a blind eye to the issue as they did in two past legislative sessions.