"Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times." Mark Twain
Like Mark Twain, state lawmakers are also finding it hard to kick the dirty habit.
House Republicans recently took positive steps to discourage smoking and mitigate the effects of second-hand smoke. But they missed another opportunity to show Missourians that they can abide by the same non-smoking rule in the Capitol that they impose on others in the building.
Shortly after the legislative session started in January, the House Republican Caucus snuffed out a proposal to ban smoking in Capitol offices.
Since then, the caucus has adopted a new smoking policy. While it discourages smoking in their offices, it doesn't take the needed extra step to go smoke-free in the offices of House Republicans.
Both Jefferson City and the state of Missouri have smoke-free policies for public buildings, but the offices of individual state lawmakers are exempt. Although Democratic members of the House have elected to observe the smoke-free policy in their offices, House Republicans have not.
The Missouri Senate also has no prohibition against smoking in individual senators' offices.
That gives the appearance that the Senate and majority of the House are above the law. What's good for the goose isn't good for the gander.
Forty-one states nationwide do not allow smoking anywhere in their capitol buildings.
Cigarette/cigar smoke, including secondhand smoke, is proven to cause cancer, despite the infamous testimony to the contrary given to Congress in 1994 by tobacco executives.
The policy requires smokers to mitigate the smoke, but some evidence suggests that methods such as ventilation/air purification aren't effective.
A 2003 study by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers concluded: "At present, the only means of effectively eliminating health risk associated with indoor exposure is to ban smoking activity."
We encourage the entire Legislature to join House Democrats in doing just that.
House Republican Caucus smoking policy
Adopted by the 99th General Assembly on 1-23-17
The House Republican Caucus encourages its members to make decisions that promote and display healthy lifestyles. This includes, but is not limited to, the protection of indoor air quality so as to contribute to the health and well-being of other Caucus members, staff and visiting guests.
Smoking in public areas under House jurisdiction and all common work areas is prohibited. All House Republican Caucus members that choose to smoke are strongly encouraged to do so either outside of the building or at the designated basement smoking area near the drive-in garage entrance on the East end of the Capitol.
Should a Caucus member allow smoking in his or her personal office, a visible sign shall be posted, and he or she shall be responsible for the purchasing and utilization of equipment necessary for the mitigation of smoke emanating from his or her private office.
In addition, any Caucus member that chooses to allow smoking in his or her private office is encouraged to do so only upon the departure of affected staff assistants, and between the hours of 6:00 pm and midnight, with a window within the private office opened and proper ventilation in circulation.