Dear Commissioners, 

I am a nationally touring recording artist who has performed in Kansas and throughout the world for over 20 years.  

For over 15 years I was based in Los Angeles, CA. All through the 80's and early 90's, playing those smoke-filled clubs was just torture on my vocal cords, and lung capacity. I could feel shortness of breath during shows as the smoke billowed up from the audience. Eventually my doctor said I had to have my tonsils and adenoids removed due to the constant infections directly related to the amount of dirty smoke I was inhaling every night. I would come home and see the black water go down the drain after washing out the smoke. I wondered how much of that soot was gathering on my lungs. 

So despite tremendous lobbying on behalf of tobacco companies and the restaurant associations, we in California voted to ban smoking in public places. As I am sure you know, patronage at bars, restaurants, and yes, nightclubs, has actually INCREASED since the ban. Even smokers I know say how nice it is to be able to breath inside a club, and have the option of going outside if and when they choose to light up. 

It really has turned out to be the best of both worlds for all involved. 

I must tell you that now when I'm out on the road in a state or jurisdiction that does not prohibit smoking, my voice really feels it. I can't imagine how much damage this is doing to the employees of such venues. 

I offer my testimony on behalf of those in favor of a clean air ordinance. I have lived through trying to do my job in a smoke-filled environment, and I can tell you that most everyone is happier when they can breath. 

Very Truly Yours,

National Recording Artist
(name withheld upon request)