Editor, the Tribune: In reference to all of the recent activity with regard to a possible smoke-free ordinance in Columbia, let me lend my support for such a measure.

Because so many other businesses are already smoke-free workplace environments, I cannot understand how we choose to protect some employees and not all employees. Those individuals who work in banks, movie theaters and retail stores are not more important than individuals who work in restaurants, bars and bowling alleys. Because people who work in smoking environments are twice as likely to suffer from lung disease, it would save everyone - employers, individuals and taxpayers - money to make all workplaces smoke free.