Your Stories
Are you sick and tired of breathing secondhand smoke?Is your workplace smokefree?We want to hear from you.When choosing a place to eat, I choose smoke-free every time. Secondhand smoke ruins a nice meal. Not only does it smell bad, it causes some serious health problems.
Delores Joyce, RogersvilleAs a frequent visitor of Christian County, I appreciate the restaurants who offer good food in a smoke-free environment. In the past I have had to work in a smoke filled office and I am sympathetic with employees who are stuck in jobs which are bad for their health. In our current economy, changing job may not be a practical option.
Chris Knigge, SpringfieldHello. When I visit Christian County I search out smoke-free restaurants. I am bothered physically by smoke. I get a headache and I have trouble breathing. I believe it is everyone's personal right whether they smoke or not but I don't think I should be exposed to the toxins in secondhand smoke.
Bonnie Linhardt, Jefferson CityI love dining in smoke-free restaurants! Smelling like smoke after leaving from a restaurant reminds me that I have exposed myself to chemicals that harm my body. I work hard to keep myself healthy and would hope one day I would not have to choose between going out for a meal and keeping my body free of harmful air!
Katie Towns-Jeter, SpringfieldI love to eat in smoke-free restaurants because it is healthy for my family and me. Most of my family smoke, so when we go to a smoke-free restaurant it is a time for us all to enjoy our time together.
Jess Williams, SpringfieldSmoke-free air is extremely important to me. As a father of two young boys, I think about how their long-term health will be impacted by what they are exposed to now. For this reason, I patronize smoke-free businesses beacuse of their respectful consideration for the health of us all.
Stephen Hall, Nixa I have a one year old daughter and won't take her into a smoky restaurant. I appreciate any restaurant that is willing to provide a healthy, smoke-free environment so my family can enjoy a night out.
Mary Moore, Springfield I really dislike eating in restaurants which allow smoking. No matter how well ventilated and isolated the smoking area, I can always smell the smoke. This ruins my dining experience. It bothers me in these cases when the staff attempts to place me in the 'non-smoking area', which is usually proximal to the smoking area with no barrier between me and the smoke. At this point, I conclude the staff is clueless and I attempt to get away from the smoke on my own.
Michael Carter, Springfield I am a former resident of Ozark. I went to school here and I moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is smoke-free there-the restaurants are all smoke-free. When I come back here, I am really amazed that they have restaurants that allow smoking. I have asthma, so it is really hard to enjoy a meal where they allow smoking. I really hope they get that changed here.
Nancy Wiggins, Albuquerque, New MexicoI think that secondhand smoke is bad for your lungs. My grandma smoked, and of course, she died. She died from smoking herself and she got cancer in her lungs and liver. When I visited her, I had to go in and I am allergic to smoke and it is not good for me either.
Sierra Carlson, OzarkI do not think that secondhand smoke is good either because it hurts us and our lungs also. My grandma also died from it. I believe that it is a good thing to stop smoking if you are.
Christina Greenwood, OzarkI think smoke-free is a very good proposal to do here in Christian County and the whole state of Missouri. Due to the health effects of secondhand smoke and due to the fact I am from Illinois, it is a big shock because it is harder to go out to restaurants because of all the smoke. I am severely allergic and it prevents me from going out to restaurants.
Kevin Moon, OzarkThe reason that I hate smoking is because it is nasty, smells bad, and I have seen the results of what it can do to your health, heart and lungs. It is a nasty habit; I don't think anyone should ever smoke.
Katie Osburn, Ozark I am Kathy Portis and I want to say that we need a smoke-free world and that it is a necessity for everyone to have a better environment.
Kathy Portis, Ozark