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You've probably taken your family to a restaurant and requested to sit in the non-smoking section. After all, neither you nor your spouse smoke and you don't want your children inhaling those noxious fumes.
But, invariably, the second-hand smoke wafts into the non-smoking section.
Everyone at the table eats their meal quickly, avoiding spending too much time breathing the air fellow diners have poisoned.
U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona threw more fire on the debate over second-hand smoke by reporting in late June that it is harmful to anyone.
Many would argue that announcement only confirms what Americans have known for several years.
He also called on states to adopt laws that ban smoking in public places.
The insidious nature of second-hand smoke makes it a worthy goal to protect the health of Ohioans in public places.
His plea comes as Ohio could be one of the battlegrounds in November in the ongoing squabble over indoor clean air policies. Both sides already have groups lined up to plead their case on a ballot issue.
The group SmokeFreeOhio is attempting to collect enough signatures to qualify the issue for the November ballot. It's uncertain now if that will happen. Eighteen states have adopted laws that invoke some restrictions on smoking in public places - with some outright bans at businesses and inside public places. Ohio only has communities or counties that have made indoor public places smoke-free.
Those communities were right to do so, and Ohio lawmakers should follow their lead.

Trying to save money
The Geauga County Department on Aging has identified a sensible way to help taxpayers with its home maintenance and farm market programs.
These programs will use means testing through November, requiring senior citizens to show proof of their income level. Otherwise, some seniors could pay for more than just materials for a project to install a ramp, railing or tub bars. They also could pay for part of the food received from the farm market.
We hope this proves successful and will continue long-term. Every government agency - at any level - spends taxpayer dollars.
And government must find ways to stretch the dollars it collects from us.