A copy of a letter written to OK legislators

Dear Legislator,

I am writing to you because you are on a committee that deals with public health and I am hoping one of you will care to take this important issue on.

My husband and I have worked with juveniles for over 30 years, Scott as a therapist and myself as a counselor and teacher. We have raised two non smoking musician sons who are exposed to second hand smoke for hours on end as they share their music with Oklahoma audiences. If they are to remain in Oklahoma as musicians( many of our finest musicians leave as you well know ) they will continue to be exposed to this dangerous chemical unless you do something.

I applaud you for your efforts to protect diners and restaurant workers from the effects of second hand smoke. It is my hope that you press on and do the same for bars and clubs in our great state. Bars and dance clubs are populated largely by our youth under the age of 30. Many are on their own for the first time in their lives and are creating habits that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

I mention that we have worked with young people because I want you to understand what we know about ritualizing behavior. If young people associate smoking with relaxing with friends and a beer and if they create memories of great times filled with warmth, fun and intimate connection with their peers they are creating a ritual with smoking at its center. Smoking already connects with our sense of smell, touch, taste and if we add the sense of well being and friendship to that it becomes an almost impossible habit to break.

I beg you to help our children by taking a stand once again in the public health arena and make bars and clubs non- smoking venues.

I know you have seen that once you took smoking out of restaurants people still showed up and they will still show up in bars and dance clubs.

I selfishly want my children to survive and entertain you for years to come with out suffering from asthma, lung disease, cancer etc and I would like to be able to go hear them play with out headaches, red eyes and coughing. We know it will happen at some point. Why not do it now while you have the momentum of the restaurant smoking ban and all the research of the medical and health communities behind you and the push towards cleaner air in general? This is a real solvable problem that I would like to see addressed before you all leave office. I really don’t want to hear that it isn’t do able because I know that it is and other states and entire countries have adopted this health saving practice and I know we can too. Will one of you sponsor a bill to get this done? Pleeeeeeeeese.

If there is anything at all that I can do to help please call me or write.

Sincerely,
Margaret Aycock