EDITOR'S NOTE: On Sept. 25, the Carlsbad City Council tentatively approved an ordinance that prohibits smoking in outdoor dining areas, which applies to "all unenclosed dining areas where food or drinks are served." The ordinance is scheduled for a second reading at the City Council meeting on Oct. 2, and if adopted, would go into effect 30 days later.
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San Diego, known for its warm weather and sunny skies, offers a nearly year-round opportunity for outdoor dining. Nothing symbolizes Southern California like a nice ocean breeze and your favorite dish served on a dining patio while enjoying a sunset.
Sadly, few things ruin your favorite meal faster than the smell of cigarette smoke. Scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure (2010 Surgeon General's Report).
In a recent survey conducted by Vista Community Clinic in Carlsbad, we found that:
• 84 percent of survey participants had been bothered by cigarette smoke when eating outside.
• 94 percent of those surveyed preferred to eat on patios where smoking was not allowed.
• More than 2 in 3 (68 percent) reported that if outdoor eating areas were smoke free, they would ask to eat outside more often.
Smoke-free outdoor dining is of great value to restaurant patrons, and would largely benefit the hospitality staff.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that those exposed to outdoor tobacco smoke for periods of 6 hours or more were found to have up to 162 times the amount of cotinine in their bloodstream.
Cotinine is what remains in the bloodstream after nicotine from tobacco smoke is metabolized and it is used as an indicator for exposure to tobacco smoke. Although normally restaurant patrons don't have 6 hour long lunches or dinners, this is the typical shift for a waiter or waitress. Reducing or eliminating secondhand smoke exposure at work can mean less sick time used by staff, and therefore less expense to the owner of the restaurant. Smoke-free patios will protect workers' health.
Restaurant owners all over the state are offering a side of fresh air to their loyal patrons by eliminating smoking on their outdoor dining patios. This safeguards the employer, employees and diners from unwanted secondhand smoke exposure. It's time to join the smoke-free outdoor dining trend.
Hosford can be reached at [email protected]
***********
San Diego, known for its warm weather and sunny skies, offers a nearly year-round opportunity for outdoor dining. Nothing symbolizes Southern California like a nice ocean breeze and your favorite dish served on a dining patio while enjoying a sunset.
Sadly, few things ruin your favorite meal faster than the smell of cigarette smoke. Scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure (2010 Surgeon General's Report).
In a recent survey conducted by Vista Community Clinic in Carlsbad, we found that:
• 84 percent of survey participants had been bothered by cigarette smoke when eating outside.
• 94 percent of those surveyed preferred to eat on patios where smoking was not allowed.
• More than 2 in 3 (68 percent) reported that if outdoor eating areas were smoke free, they would ask to eat outside more often.
Smoke-free outdoor dining is of great value to restaurant patrons, and would largely benefit the hospitality staff.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that those exposed to outdoor tobacco smoke for periods of 6 hours or more were found to have up to 162 times the amount of cotinine in their bloodstream.
Cotinine is what remains in the bloodstream after nicotine from tobacco smoke is metabolized and it is used as an indicator for exposure to tobacco smoke. Although normally restaurant patrons don't have 6 hour long lunches or dinners, this is the typical shift for a waiter or waitress. Reducing or eliminating secondhand smoke exposure at work can mean less sick time used by staff, and therefore less expense to the owner of the restaurant. Smoke-free patios will protect workers' health.
Restaurant owners all over the state are offering a side of fresh air to their loyal patrons by eliminating smoking on their outdoor dining patios. This safeguards the employer, employees and diners from unwanted secondhand smoke exposure. It's time to join the smoke-free outdoor dining trend.
Hosford can be reached at [email protected]