Posted on: Tuesday, June 24, 2003

EDITORIAL
Big Island shouldn't be shy on smoking ban

Just as we predicted, a smoking ban in restaurants on O'ahu, Maui and Kaua'i has not driven customers away. On the contrary, the National Restaurant Association forecasts a 3 percent revenue increase in Hawai'i restaurants.

It's clear that smokers would rather take a break from tobacco than starve, and are perfectly amenable to stepping outside for a cigarette.

This ought to be reassuring to businesses on the Big Island, where the County Council is considering passing the state's most restrictive smoking ban.

In addition to banning smoking in restaurants, bars and nightclubs, smoking would be forbidden in taxicabs, commercial buildings and common areas of residential buildings. A final vote is set for July 2.

Sure, the Big Island ban sounds draconian, but it's not going to cripple the economy. As for the health benefits, there's never an easy time to quit, so it may as well be now.