A WORKPLACE should be free of dirty air. Washington voters need to ensure that is the case by passing an initiative to ban smoking in all places where people work.

Washington would be following a number of other states and nations that have instituted bans on smoking in places such as bars and restaurants. The Times recommends passage of Initiative 901, a common-sense initiative that amends the 20-year-old Clean Air Act that banned smoking in most workplaces. The initiative would add smoking bans in bars, restaurants, non-tribal casinos, skating rinks and bowling alleys, which are exempt from the Clean Air Act. Grabbing a quick bite to eat in a smoky restaurant now and again might be a nuisance, but for the employees, the daily exposure can be devastating. Enough evidence shows that secondhand smoke can cause health problems in non-smokers, the same that are seen in smokers, such as lung cancer and heart disease.

In Helena, Mont., a study found that the number of people going to the emergency room for heart attacks dropped by almost half after smoking was eliminated for six months in bars, restaurants and other workplaces.

Opponents of I-901 claim the cozy, smoke-filled neighborhood tavern will be hurt if patrons are not allowed to smoke. This has not been the case in other states where smoking has been extinguished.

A study by the Harvard School of Public Health showed that there were no drastic economic consequences for bars and restaurants in Massachusetts after a smoking ban was imposed in 2004. Revenue and employment numbers remained stable, with slight increases after the ban.

The trend to smoke-free workplaces is well under way. It is Washington's turn to create healthy workplaces for everyone.