By Representative Myra Crownover (R-Denton)

Numerous laws in our state set standards to protect the health and safety of hardworking Texans while on the job.

Yet there’s a serious gap in workplace safety laws in our state. Every day Texas men, women and even teenagers have to make a living in places where the air is swirling with dangerous, even deadly, chemicals – secondhand smoke.

Many Texas cities have taken steps to protect their workers and their residents by passing smoke-free ordinances that govern smoking in indoor public and workplaces, including restaurants and bars. But even if every municipality passed a smoke-free ordinance, it still wouldn’t protect one-fourth of all Texans who live in unincorporated areas.

Now is the time for Texas to join 16 other states by passing a statewide, comprehensive smoke-free law.

I’m pleased to sponsor this proposed law, House Bill 9, in the Texas House of Representatives. My legislative colleague, Sen. Rodney Ellis, is sponsoring Senate Bill 368 in the Texas Senate.

I’m not trying to prohibit smoking. It’s not an illegal activity; people should be able to smoke if they choose. I am trying to protect Texas workers from being exposed to the hazards of secondhand smoke.

The dangers of secondhand smoke no longer are in question. I believe it is large due to this awareness that 66 percent of Texans said in a recent statewide poll that they would favor a statewide comprehensive law to eliminate smoking in all indoor workplaces and public facilities including public buildings, offices, restaurants and bars.

The biggest opposition to my smoke-free bill seems to be from those who don’t want to give up smoking in social situations at restaurants and bars.

This objection doesn’t hold water. Consider that once airplane passengers were allowed to puff away in-flight, filling the cabin with clouds of gray smoke. Today, it’s accepted that smoking is not permitted aboard an aircraft.

Most flights are longer than the typical meal in a restaurant. And diners who must smoke can step outside for a quick cigarette – an option they certainly don’t have on an airplane. This might be inconvenient, but no one will die of exposure to the elements – no matter how hot or cold it gets in Texas – in the few short minutes it takes to smoke a cigarette.

But workers and others who work in concentrations of secondhand smoke are dying of exposure. Secondhand smoke kills 53,000 Americans every year and sickens many others with all kinds of respiratory diseases and cancers.

Nationally, smoke-free policies cover just 43 percent of food service workers, who have a 50 percent higher risk of dying from lung cancer than the general public. And those who work in bars face levels of secondhand smoke 3.9 to 6.1 times higher than in office worksites.

The Texas Restaurant Association has taken a significant stand by publicly supporting the proposed smoke-free law.

A statewide law will let all businesses operate on an even playing field, but more importantly allow all Texas workers – no matter where they work – to breathe air free of secondhand smoke and its toxins.

People can choose where they dine or socialize. Some might argue that people also can choose where they work. But finding a job isn’t necessarily easy, especially if an individual is limited by lack of transportation, education or opportunity.

In my mind, an outside cigarette break during a workday is a small inconvenience for both employers and employees compared to the health protections we can offer all workers under a smoke-free law.

I believe we have an obligation to protect all hard-working Texans who contribute to our state’s economic well-being.

State Rep. Myra Crownover (R-Denton) has represented District 64, which includes portions of Denton County, in the Texas House of Representatives since 2000.