Eloise Gift www.EloiseGift.com A Gift for all seasons
New Mexico's Governor Bill Richardson Signs Clean Indoor-Air-Act
A few weeks ago I went to a restaurant with a friend who was visiting from California. It was a in a delightful setting, the food was delicious, and we were having a delicious meal and enjoying our conversation until one, then two people lit up their cigarettes. Although I don't like the smell of cigarette smoke and am aware of the dangers of second-hand smoke, I would have stayed through desert and finished the meal.
My friend, however, could not tolerate the change in the air. We cut short our meal, went somewhere else for desert.
It appears, we are we are unlikely to have such an experience again in New Mexico. I received an email today that read in part:
I am VERY happy and excited to let you know that Governor Richardson signed the Dee Johnson Clean Indoor Air Act, HB 283 into law this morning!
As of June 15, 2007, when the law takes effect, New Mexicans no longer have to breathe secondhand smoke in nearly all workplaces, restaurants, and bars!
New Mexico has joined the ranks of states making an effort to clean up our air and our world. I have one more reason to add to my list of attributes of the land of enchantment.
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Eloise Gift, bilingual, Albuquerque, New Mexico real estate broker helps people realize their real estate dreams - "to go from one little piece of Holy Ground to the next.
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OK, this might be a shocker. And you might be expecting me to agree with this but I don't, in New Mexico or Colorado. No, I'm not a smoker. I've never smoked or lived with a smoker. But this is still America and while smoking is a horrible habit I think smokers have rights. They don't have the right to blow smoke on my or your lunch. I also don't think they should be banished to the far fields where the road ends to enjoy their rights as Americans. Just my opinion. Maybe someday there will be no more additions. But I think if somebody told me I could no longer enjoy a soda (my addition) or had to drink it out the back door and 40 feet from the resturant, I'd be in trouble.
Great blog Eloise, I hope you get lots of commets. I know somebody is going to argue with me on this.
Hi Eloise! I am an X-smoker. I smoked for years and never knew how i smelled or how it affected others. I certainly KNOW NOW and abhor it. Those habits are hard to break, and i can both empathise with the smoker, and know the offense to a non-smoker. Dena - what solutions can be suggested?
Dena,
I understand your objection, but Diane's comment explains the difference. Your soda does not saturate the air around you to the detriment of others, and your having a soda does not directly affect the health of everyone around you.
True, my addition has little if any effect on others. And I don't have an answer to what to do with smokers. But it's not a criminal offence to smoke, not yet. Ultimately it would be nice if nobody smoked. But until then I think we should be at least somewhat tolerant.
Dena: when i smoked, some folks RAN to get away! My 2 children begged me to quit - i had no idea the way it affected them.... my eldest has after-affects of my smoking. Homes and apartments that have been occupied by smokers have to undergo special cleaning, painting and sometimes replacement of carpeting if the odors will not leave. Smoking in public environments really is a problem... Inventors are needed in a hurry for this one!
Dena, Diane,
Most of us have had at least one client whose beautifully staged home in desirable neighborhoods lingered on the market because of cigarette odors.
Laws are passed and enforced to protect us-sometimes from ourselves. The act of driving above the speed limit or without seat belts, or while drunk, are examples. The consequences of these acts are the same as the consequences of smoking. One of my best friends just quit after he was diagnosed with a possible terminal illness. Did his habit affect the lives of his loved ones also? We hope not.
When we think green, we have to go all the way. Indoor air quality is a big part of thinking green.