Clearing the air about issues 4 and 5 in ohio

Clearing the air aboutissues 4 and 5 in ohio
EDITOR:
I would like to "clear the air" about Issues 4 and 5. Issue 4, the phony smoke free issue, is backed by the tobacco industry. Issue 5 is the real smoke free issue in Ohio. But because 4 is an amendment to the state constitution, it they both pass, Issue 4 would override 5, which is a law.
Issue 4 is posing as "Smoke-Less Ohio." In actuality, it would overturn the 21 existing smoke free laws in Ohio and prevent any local smoke free laws from ever being passed again. It would allow smoking in most public places.
The better way is Issue 5, which makes all restaurants, public places and workplaces smoke-free. You have a right to breathe clean air and not be subjected to secondhand smoke.
Voters have a chance to stop tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds from buying its way with Ohioans by funding misleading television ads while protecting nothing except their bottom line. This is a public health issue, and allowing the tobacco industry to dictate clean indoor air policy is like letting alcoholics dictate traffic safety laws.
As mentioned, this whole issue does not aim to take away someone's right to smoke. Rather, it protects the rights and safety of those who do not smoke.
If you have ever been to New York, California, or Sydney, Australia, you will realize how pleasant it is to go out without breathing secondhand smoke. Sydney, Los Angeles and New York are some of the biggest partying cities in the world, and their smoke-free laws run smoothly and are overwhelmingly welcomed.
So remember when voting at the polls, if you want a real-deal smoke-free environment, do not be misled by Issue 4, backed by the tobacco industry. Remember, if both issues pass, Issue 5, which is the real SmokeFreeOhio law, will fail, and the smoking situation in public places will become worse. Vote NO on 4 and vote YES on 5!
ROBERT CARILLIO
Warren
State Issue 5 goes too far
EDITOR:
People like to think the smoking policies on the ballot this year are simply matters of health. They're not. Any smoking policy will have profound effects on our rights and our liberty. I refuse to support Issue 5 because it goes too far. I don't doubt for a second that it will drive customers away from bars and limit the freedom of adults.
I do support Issue 4. Issue 4 bans smoking in 90 percent of businesses, but also allows some common sense exemptions for businesses which cater toward adults. It is the only smoking ban that protects Ohio families without forcing me to change how I run my bar.
SHARON BAKER
Bottom Line Pub & amp; Grille
Youngstown
High cost of pet ownership
EDITOR:
In regard to the article concerning cat population and also dog population, I have just one question. If the vast majority of veterinarians and animal welfare people feel so strongly about spaying and neutering our pets, why do they charge so much for doing it? Based on what occurred recently in my family, the charges are almost 400 to spay or neuter. What family, middle class or poor, can afford this?
We recently had our beloved dog put down because of old age and health problems. We were charged a regular office visit plus the shot to put him down, a total of 70. We were grieving and paid without comment but later felt that seemed very wrong.
State of the art animal hospitals arecropping up around the counties. I appreciate the knowledge these folks have learned in school and the expense becoming a veterinarian, but I'm afraid they will eventually do themselves in as my husband and I have no intention of ever having another pet. Who could afford it?
Mahoning and Trumbull counties will continue having an abundance of strays because most people can't afford to pay to have them fixed. How very sad.
MARGARET HENNING
Boardman