What's Going On: I like Blue Zones; I hate Blue Zone laws

I like Blue Zones.

Throughout this column, I’m going to periodically mention that because I’m worried this article might be incorrectly perceived as an indictment of the health and wellness program Red Oak has fortunately been chosen to participate.

From what I’ve read and written about the program, it sounds like it should be beneficial to not only the community, but my family and myself as well.

I like Blue Zones.

What I don’t like though is to have components of it, or any other program, force-fed down my throat through ordinances and legislation.

At Monday’s meeting, the City Council approved an ordinance 5-0 to ban smokeless tobacco products from public parks.

There was no discussion among the Council. No input from the audience. The second and third readings of the ordinance, which would have provided residents additional opportunities to voice their opinions, were waived.

So with the same level of discussion and formality as the most routine of city business, the council infringed on the personal freedoms of an albeit small minority of the population.

That small minority, people who chew tobacco, will have to change their lifestyle or break the law because someone else believes their health choices are not acceptable.

There’s no doubt chewing tobacco is unhealthy, but I’ve always believed if your behavior only imperils your health, have fun.

With this action, the council clearly states they disagree. They want to make at least some health lifestyle decisions for you, without discussion. That’s fine. They are empowered to do so by the Iowa Legislature and the people who elected them.

Part of their reasoning was this will help meet Blue Zones guidelines and will give the community a head start in achieving some of those perceived goals.

I say perceived because we don’t really know. There have been no formal presentations or program implementations on the part of Blue Zones, so we can really only guess based on past community’s experiences what will happen.

But it’s probably safe to say the Blue Zone parameters will discourage before it encourages, chewing tobacco. That’s a reasonable assumption for certain.

Did I mention I like Blue Zones?

I’m also going to assume Blue Zones will probably encourage healthy diets, packed with lots of fruits and vegetables and fewer sugary drinks and fried foods.

A few years ago, the City of New York passed legislation regulating the trans fat content of foods served in restaurants. Should the new owners at Jim Diner’s start looking at different menu options because their delicious deep-fried tenderloin may be in danger of the next council ordinance?

That same city out east is now aiming legislation at convenience stores and restaurants that sell ginormous sodas in an attempt to reduce the amount of sugary drinks consumed daily. Should Kum ‘N Go start checking the Council agenda periodically before they place their next cup order?

I like Blue Zones. Can’t wait for it to get started. But I don’t like any form of government making decisions for me. I wear a seat belt, but I don’t like the fact it’s a law. I don’t chew tobacco or smoke cigarettes in public parks, or anywhere for that matter, but I don’t like the fact it’s a law. I don’t drink 72-ounces of soda at once, but I like the fact the law doesn’t prevent from doing so, at least not yet.

The tobacco ordinance has come and gone. What’s done is done. Just as I don’t expect anyone to agree with all my columns, no rational Council member can expect everyone to agree with all their decisions.

But in the future, I don’t want to see the Blue Zones wielded as a legislative ax that will be used to hack away at our lifestyle choices.

If I walk into my local diner, I want to be able to order an artery-clogging tenderloin and wash it down with a gallon of liquid sugar. Hopefully, a program like Blue Zones will provide me the education and information that will stop me from doing that, at least on a routine basis.

But if instead, I don’t do that because there’s an ordinance preventing me. Well, that’s when I won’t like Blue Zones anymore.

Gregory Orear is the General Manager/Editor of the Red Oak Express and Glenwood Opinion-Tribune. He can be contacted at publisher@redoakexpress.com.