Veteran Representative Mario Scavello Makes a Valiant Effort to Fix the Flawed Clean Indoor Air Act

I am gratified to learn that veteran Republican State Representative Mario Scavello (Monroe County) is spearheading an effort to finally fix the heavily flawed Clean Indoor Air Act, which prohibits smoking in most public places.

While this legislation was long awaited and much appreciated, it is a cockamamie patchwork which exempts certain bars, casinos, and private clubs.

We have long known that tobacco is the only legal product which brings about the illness and death of the user when used according to the manufacturer's instructions, and in more recent years we have learned  that illness and death can be inflicted on those that are forced to ingest second hand smoke.

Individuals that are desperate to earn a living will often take positions in smoking environments, setting aside their health and well-being.  They should not have to make that choice.

It is unfortunate that courtesy does not enable smoke-free air to be available to all, but there is little courtesy among the self-absorbed.

I would like to believe that the Scavello legislation has a chance of passage, but I fear that it does not as the Republicans generally seem to feel that getting government out of the way always takes precedence over public health and public safety.  I will hope that against all odds, the public interest supersedes the special interest.