Lung Cancer at the Card Table

With the Surgeon General's recent declaration that there are no safe levels of second-hand smoke, you knew it was just a matter of time before the ripples were felt. Sure, the statement was based on already existing studies and is hardly a surprise to anyone but the deepest of cave-dwellers, but this is the kind of stamp of approval that sets lawsuits in motion.

A casino worker, diagnosed with lung cancer, is suing the operator of the Tropicana for failing to protect its employees against second-hand smoke.

I'm an unabashed anti-smoking advocate. I hate the stuff. Get it out of the workplace, restaurants, casinos, and any home with children. I don't like the idea of legislating all of this, but when there's a clear body of evidence that it causes non-smokers harm and smokers choose to continue exposing others to it, perhaps something should be done. Some people make the point that non-smokers can just choose to eat/work/play somewhere else instead of complaining. Well, it's not always that simple to find a new job or lifestyle. And why should it be incumbent on the person being harmed to change their life, rather than the person causing the harm?

I hope the lawsuit has some effect. A similar worker's compensation claim by Ontario waitress Heather Crowe was one of the driving forces behind Canada's push towards smoke-free spaces. It'd be nice if more employers chose to favour the health of their employees over the habit of some patrons.

Surgeon general: No safe level of secondhand smoke [CNN.com]
Casino worker sues over lung cancer [Daily Record]

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