Two more businesses go smoke-free

To the editor:

Breathe Free Mat-Su would like to salute Mat-Su Lodge (formerly Mat-Su Resort) and Big Lake Lions Club for going smoke-free. We encourage our fellow Mat-Su residents to support both establishments.

Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of preventable death. Nationwide, it accounts for an estimated 50,000 deaths annually. In Alaska, as many as 120 people die from secondhand-smoke-related causes each year.

That’s more than the number of people killed each year in motor vehicle accidents and about three times the number of deaths caused by homicide.

By prohibiting smoking in all indoor areas, both Mat-Su Lodge and Big Lake Lions Club are protecting the health of their non-smoking patrons, employees and members.

By supporting these establishments, Valley residents can help prove that smoke-free businesses and organizations not only survive, but thrive.

Becky Stoppa

Breathe Free Mat-Su member