Editorial
Politicians have a chance to ban restaurant smoking

More than ever before, Hawai'i is ripe for a restaurant smoking ban. So if politicians really want to clear the air at our dining establishments, there's no time like the present.

The issue dominated a recent meeting of the Hawai'i State Association of Counties, where county leaders admitted they just need to get behind some effective legislation and smoke-free dining will soon arrive.

But some are still skittish about the business risks, and keep testing the political winds.

As it stands, each county is moving at a different pace on this matter of public health and hygiene, with O'ahu and Kaua'i taking the lead.

Kaua'i County Council Chairman Ron Kouchi is optimistic about the odds of passing such a ban on the Garden Island because "It's the right thing to do." His council sent surveys about the potential impact of smoking restrictions to 200 restaurants.

Of the 40 that returned them, only two expressed concerns about a ban. As for the 160 restaurants that didn't return the surveys, they had their chance to influence policy and missed it this time around. That's democracy. We all have the opportunity to participate.

Maui County officials are poised to send surveys to restaurants on Maui, Lana'i and Moloka'i and are considering public meetings on the matter. Big Island Councilman Gary Safarik doesn't think his island will move forward as quickly because there may not be enough support there for a smoking ban.

Meanwhile, the Honolulu City Council has given a preliminary nod to a bill that would bar smoking in restaurants. The measure would allow smoking in the outside areas and bars of restaurants and would take effect six months after its passage.

And council Chairman Jon Yoshimura, who has thrice rejected restaurant smoking bans, is working on an alternative bill that would give businesses a couple of years to adapt to become smoke-free.

Under his proposal, restaurants could apply to be "all smoking" for up to two years, but would have to post signs alerting customers that they allow smoking along with separate signs about the hazards of second-hand smoke.

After two years, they no longer could allow indoor smoking, but could limit it to outdoors sections. The bill also would outlaw smoking in restaurant bars.

Yoshimura, who is running for lieutenant governor, says he previously opposed restaurant smoking bans because he's pro-business. But we question that logic.

A long-standing ban on smoking in movie theaters has never stopped box offices from doing a brisk business. Nor have smokers stopped flying since the airlines banned tobacco use.

Furthermore, Hawai'i's nonsmokers outnumber smokers, and so allowing people to light up in restaurants clearly favors tourists and a minority of residents. Last year, Hawai'i boasted the fifth-lowest rate of adult cigarette smoking in the nation, with smokers over 18 making up just 19.7 percent of the population.

Since the state Legislature has avoided the issue, we urge Hawai'i's county leaders to work out a restaurant smoking ban. And don't worry too much about business because you can rest assured, smokers will not quit eating out.