Politics & Government

Guest Opinion: Alameda's New Smoking Law The Right Thing for Public Health

"While I can certainly accept any individual's decision to continue to engage in addictions that result in their own life-damaging consequences, it is not OK to harm others as a result of one's personal choices."

Editor's Note: Starting on Jan. 2, 2012, smoking will be forbidden in many public spaces in Alameda, including the sidewalks of business districts, shopping centers, the beach and building entryways. More details about the City of Alameda's new smoking law are here

by Karen Spedowfski, Ph.D. 

I've recently been reading letters from smokers complaining about  . Most or all of these complaints are focused on personal rights and freedoms being impinged upon by being prevented from smoking in various indoor and outdoor locations (including some private residences).

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I'm a psychologist and the director of a chemical dependency treatment program, as well as a former smoker. Here's the bottom line: smokers who complain about restrictions on where they are legally allowed to smoke are suggesting that they should be able to engage in their own life damaging and threatening addictions even when doing so also endangers the health and welfare of others through the emission of toxic chemicals into the air we all breathe.  

While I can certainly accept any individual's decision to continue to engage in addictions that result in their own life-damaging consequences, it is not OK to harm others as a result of one's personal choices. Freedoms have limitations - they stop where harm has been proven to impact others as a result.

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No one has the right to drive while intoxicated, to run around wielding dangerous weapons, to allow their children to play in the streets, etc. We are not even allowed to drive cars that exceed certain standards for air pollution. How does it make sense to continue allowing smokers to increase the risk of cancer and other diseases for those around them simply because they want to be able to conveniently poison themselves?   

I am in full support of anything that makes it harder for those with addictions to engage in them with minimal or no immediate consequences. Most addicts only begin to attempt to stop using substances once engaging in the addiction becomes harder than the changes they have to make to stop. There is nothing good about smoking and it is the number one killer of those who do successfully become clean and sober from other addictions.   

Denial of consequences is a powerful force that allows addiction to continue. We need to stop denying that smoking can negatively impact the health of anyone in proximity to those who smoke. Adopting and enforcing ordinances that protect others from this particular addiction is long overdue. 

 

Dr. Spedowfski is an Alameda resident, a licensed psychologist, and the director of a large chemical dependency treatment program. 


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