NO SMOKING: TREND HAS BECOME A SIGN OF TIMES

Several area workplaces have jumped on the smoke-free bandwagon. Like seat belts, some people may view this as an invasion of government or business into their private affairs. Yes, individuals should have the right to decide if they want to smoke or not. But the non-smoking public also deserves a voice regarding the air they breathe.

The advancing ban on smoking in public is a sign of the times. At the heart of this movement is the increasing information made available about the dangers of secondhand smoke. The sidestream smoke, which goes directly into the air from the burning tobacco, actually has higher concentrations of some harmful compounds than the mainstream smoke that smokers inhale through a filter. Many studies now show that secondhand smoke can have harmful effects on nonsmokers, even causing diseases such as lung cancer.

After 30 minutes in a smoky room, nonsmokers can have nearly as much carbon monoxide in their blood as someone who has smoked one cigarette. At special risk from passive smoking are people with asthma, hay fever, bronchitis, heart problems and emphysema.

The smoke-free movement will probably advance as the number of smokers diminishes. Today, only about one in three people in the country still smokes. Like drinking, smoking has lost much of the glamour once associated with movie stars and trendsetters.

The growing cost of health insurance is also influencing smoke-free workplaces. Just as discounts are available for non-smoking drivers, some insurance companies offer premium savings to smoke-free workplaces. This may apply to both health and fire insurance. The American Lung Association reports that heavy smokers seek health care 50 percent more often than nonsmokers.

A number of large businesses across town are leading the way. Boatmen's Bank will go smoke free as of June 1. The Cape Girardeau Public Schools eliminated smoking for students this year, and will prohibit smoking for employees this fall. Southeast Missouri State University has had a tobacco-free policy since 1988; smoking is restricted to about a dozen locations across campus. This newspaper and Concord Printing went smoke free in May. Both Southeast Missouri Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center have restricted smoking. Vision 2000 is working to prevent smoking before it starts by encouraging the Smoke-Free Class of 2000.

In its final week of the 1991 session, the Missouri legislature is debating a bill prohibiting the sale of tobacco pro~ducts to minors. The bill would also require most public areas to set aside 30 percent of their total area for non-smokers. In a rule change, the House prohibited smoking on the floor this year. Similar smoking bans in public buildings have been discussed at the federal level, pushed by Health and Human Services Director Louis Sullivan, an aggressive anti-smoking crusader.

Today, most people who smoke realize the dangers. Surveys show that 9 out of 10 smokers would like to quit. Nonsmokers are also becoming more vocal about their rights as they learn more about dangers of passive smoking. It's this growing concern that is changing public attitudes about smoking.