Letter: Time to celebrate right to smoke-free air

Dear Editor:

It’s time to celebrate Montana’s first generation who will come of age with 100 percent smoke-free indoor air. 

On Oct. 1, all Montana bars, taverns and casinos will go smoke-free, joining Montana’s other public indoor places and workplaces under the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act.

This represents an additional step in protecting individual rights to breathe clean air, as Montana becomes the 18th state nationwide to require all enclosed public places and workplaces, including restaurants, bars, and casinos, to be smoke-free.  

Now is the perfect time to celebrate every Montanan’s right to breathe smoke-free air. Smoke-free laws like the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act encourage tobacco users to quit and help prevent youth from ever starting to use tobacco.

It’s also the perfect time to call the Montana Tobacco Quit Line at 866-485-QUIT and get free help in quitting tobacco.

Our law will go a long way in helping to improve the health of all Montanans.  

Barb Guthneck, tobacco prevention specialist, Libby