The conclusion of our own "meta-analysis" is not that environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) poses no health risk, but that the science claiming that it does is inconclusive and often unreliable.
If ETS is really as dangerous as the EPA, policitcal organizations and activist groups claim, efforts to limit it could be justified.
But until indisputable evidence is produced that would prove such risk, the most reasonable attitude would be to respect the freedoms granted to smokers and business owners under the law.
The logical course, then, would seem to be to post notice at a business entrance advising the public of the presence of environmental tobacco smoke, then give people the freedom to choose whether or not they will accept exposure to potential risk.
In fact, Montana's own House Bill 758, which allows smoking in casinos for an extra $20 per machine fee, also requires venues that allow smoking to post notice to this effect at their building entrance so those offended by cigarette smoke can choose to never expose themselves to it.
Source: Extra,
a special supplement to The Montana Tavern Times,
Dec., 2002, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.