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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times-Advocate, 2002-11-06, Page 6then is there even a question about placing restric- tions on smoking? Do we not, as a society, want to take every reasonable precaution to protect our gen- eral health? Smoking, including second hand smoke, has been proven to be harmful in so many ways, it is absolutely ludicrous to think there should be no restrictions on where and when people can smoke. Huron County’s proposed by-law on second hand smoke is in no way infringing on anyone’s rights, but rather taking at least some action to protect us all. It is a reasonable measure to ban smoking in public places. Of course, the best solution would be a total ban on the sale and use of cigarettes, but since the government relies on the revenue from cigarette sales, this won’t likely happen soon. For this reason, smokers should support this type of by-law and be grateful that they can at least still buy their ciga- rettes legally. Remember that a ban on smoking is beneficial to everyone, including smokers. Non- smoking establishments also offer a supportive envi- ronment for smokers who may be trying to cut back or quit. I’ve heard all the arguments for smoking and smokers “rights”; none of them are valid. There was a time when it was more socially acceptable, but that time has long gone. In Huron county, our population is 77 per cent non-smokers, according to the Health department. We are all aware of the many health problems caused by smoking and second hand smoke. The statistics are truly frightening. We need to be responsible, as a society that cares about the health and well being of our friends, neighbours and children. We need to have restrictions, and they need to be strictly enforced. I believe that even the majori- ty of smokers understand and respect the need for such restrictions. The only concern people should have with any proposed by-law to ban smoking, is that it be fair and equitable for all businesses, with no exemptions for any class or type of business. When there are exemptions or exceptions to the rules it leaves room for varying interpretations and potential court challenges. As a local business person whose business has his- torically been patronized by a high percentage of smokers, I honestly believe my business will do bet- ter without smoking. In the two months we’ve been open, we have received nothing but positive response to our smoking ban. Both smokers and non-smokers have praised us for the proactive approach we have taken. There is an unfortunate fear among some business owners that banning smoking could hurt their rev- enue, as their smoking customers would no longer do business with them. While this fear is very real to them, it is more a fear of change and of the unknown. This is understandable, but not very real- istic, and it must be overcome. First of all, many fac- tors affect businesses every day. Changes in prod- ucts, prices of utilities, maintenance, competition, and technological changes are just a few of the things that can negatively impact a business at any time. The business owner has to adapt to the changes. They may have to alter their pricing or pro- motion of their products, change marketing strate- gies or introduce new products and services to increase revenue. Likewise, with no smoking, things may change slightly, but people adapt,;your business can adapt. This is particularly so if the by-law is applied equally to all businesses and we are told it will be. One Huron county business owner stated at a recent meeting on the issue, “If they don’t like the smoke, they can stay home” and also declared, “Nobody is going to tell me that I can’t smoke in my own place”. This was a woman concerned about her business collapsing if smoking were banned. Hopefully, she, and others of the same opinion, will realize this ignorance and negativity toward such an important health issue will be their eventual down- fall; not the banning of smoking. How could any rational person believe that a smoke-filled room is what’s keeping their business alive? I’m quite certain that telling 77 per cent of the marketplace to stay at home cannot be a wise business decision. Accept the positive change, adapt your business practices, focus on different revenue sources, take advantage of new opportunities. Restricting smoking does not restrict any business from selling their products or services. It only pre- vents people from being exposed to hundreds of known dangerous toxins. In my bowling centre, I banned smoking but I didn’t ban bowling, and all the same people still come to bowl. They just don’t smoke anymore. For me it was simple. A non-smok- ing facility would hurt no one, while a facility that allowed smoking would hurt everyone. Even with the slight risk of losing some business in the short term, it was well worth it, to do the right thing. I would encourage everyone to prepare for a smoking ban. Better yet, be bold enough to try it on your own. You’ll breathe easier if you do. RICK KLOSS, Zurich Wednesday, November 6, 2002 7Exeter Times–Advocate Opinion&Forum &News Panther Profile EXETER — The Panthers Field Hockey team played six hard games at OFSSAA last weekend. Congratulations to the girls who finished the season with a silver medal. Huron and Huron- Perth finals are coming up this week for Girls Basketball and Boys Volleyball. Good luck to those teams. On Thursday there will be an assembly regarding the Flu Shot Clinic, Shoe Box Campaign, and the Christmas Bureau. The times will be changed to accommodate for this assembly. Period 1 - 9:40 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. Period 2 - 10:50 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. LUNCH - 11:50 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. Period 3 - 12:55 p.m. to 1:55 p.m. Period 4 - 2:05 p.m. to 3:05 p.m. Parent Teacher Interviews are Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Students should make arrangements for parents to meet with teachers. On Nov. 13, senior students planning to attend college have the chance to learn about 25 Ontario Colleges at Conestoga College in Kitchener. The day will be spent visiting the campus, talking to representatives from other colleges, searching out employment opportuni- ties, and researching tuition fees and financial assistance. Coming events: Nov. 6 — Girls Basketball: Huron Semi-Finals at St. Anne’s Nov. 7 — Boys Volleyball: Huron/Perth — Assembly at 9 a.m. — Parent Teacher Interviews: 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 11 — Remembrance Day Assembly Nov. 12 — Boys Volleyball: WOSSAA Qualifiers — University Presentation: Brescia College - UWO at 10:20 a.m. Nov. 13 — Girls Basketball: Huron Final — College presentation: CIP/VIP Day Teen corner Something to Hold On To While writing out a poem for a friend last week, I came across some work that I had created four years ago, and practically hadn't been read since. The poem was entitled, "What is a Hero?" and addressed my own opinion on the subject, as I was instructed to do so during an English class in Grade 8. As I was typing, one verse of the poem, long for- gotten, bore its way into my brain: "Someone who keeps dreaming When the world takes dreams away. Someone who keeps dreaming Until the light of day." These four lines, as short and neatly rhyming as they are, actually sparked some new thought. I thought about how much my opinions have changed and grown stronger over these past few years of my high school career, how I've watched others grow in the same way, and how we all have high hopes for our own futures, our own aspira- tions. We all have our own dreams. I also thought about how the world can be funny at times, in a non-humorous sort of way. The world seems to be filled with so much hate, fanaticism, war mon- gering and fear mongering lately that it seems easy to lose hope, to forget your dreams and put them aside for another time. Things happen. Deaths, person- al crises, world crises, weather. . . and you put your dreams on hold for all of them. There's really no choice in the mat- ter; there's no time to have dreams in the midst of extenuating circumstances. Just make sure they are still there when you come back to them. You can take the longest journey ever, but you still need something to come home to. Life has always had its ups and downs, and as people, we are continually falling apart and rebuilding ourselves as time passes, and as events happen to change our lives. We all need something to hold onto through it all, something that keeps us sane and gives our lives meaning. These are our dreams, whatever they may be, and if you hold onto them and work towards them hard enough, eventually you will live them, and see harmony among the many experiences you've been through in your life. You are never too old or too young to dream. JENN BAKER TEEN CORNER BETH HUNDEY PANTHER PROFILE Principal’s Message EXETER — Congratulations to our girls’ field hockey team for its tremendous performance at OFSSAA. Our girls came home with the silver medal after an intense, well-fought battle with the defending champions in the gold medal game. They lost by the smallest of margins, 1-0 in an exciting final Saturday afternoon. The students and staff at South Huron are proud of the girls for their outstanding accomplishment: not only are they exceptional athletes but wonderful ambassadors for our school as well. Thank you, girls, for your hard work all season, and special thanks to coach- es Jim Workman and Linda Farquhar for their guidance, hard work and dedication. On Friday afternoon last week, students received a Progress Report giving them an indication of their academic progress so far this year. Any parents yet to see this report should contact the school immedi- ately. Parent-teacher interviews are scheduled for Thurs., Nov. 7, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. A form for arranging the interviews was provided on the bottom of the newsletter that accompanied the Progress Report. Any parents unable to attend the interviews Thursday and wish to arrange interviews on an alternate date are asked to contact the school as soon as possible. On Nov. 28, we are hosting a parent information night on the Double Cohort situation. As I indi- cated in a previous column, there is conflicting information on the potential impact of the increased number of students graduating this year. A recent report suggested as many as 7,000 students would not get into a post-secondary pro- gram this year. Ministry of Education reports have suggested that all ‘qualified’ students would get into college and/or university. The Ministry has appointed a number of ambas- sadors to meet with parents throughout the province to discuss this issue. South Huron’s school council has invited one of these ambassadors to attend a forum here at the school on the evening of Nov. 28. In addition, our Guidance Department has invited a college and a university representative to attend to present their perspectives on the Double Cohort phenomenon. Our trustee, Randy Wagler, and I will join the panel. This forum will provide a good opportunity for students and parents to ask, and hopefully get answers to, the questions on their minds. We encourage parents of students in Grades 11, 12, and OAC to attend this information session. While the students in Grades 12 and OAC are the ones who will be affected this year, we need to remember Grade 11 students will face the second wave of the Double Cohort. If students are unsuc- cessful in gaining admission to post-secondary pro- grams for next year, they may very well apply the following year, thereby creating increased competi- tion for students now in Grade 11. In any case, this promises to be an informative and interesting session and we hope to see a good turnout of parents and students. JEFF REABURN PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE The right to smoke? Continued from page 6