I performed in smoky bars for 17 years. I hated having to cut through the smoke to reach my audience, but I had no other options.

I’m a musician and that’s where the work was.

Imagine trying to maximize your breathing so that you could hit a high part, or hold a single note for an extended period of time, all the while taking in huge breaths of smoke.

I used to come home smelling like an ashtray. I don’t even want to know what my lungs looked like.

I remember trying to go for a run on days after smoke-filled gigs and gasping for air. My lungs hurt and my head ached. I felt terrible.

Now, I refuse to perform anywhere where smoking is allowed. This limits my options, but that is OK at this stage in my life.

I am able to be financially independent and don’t rely on bar-performance fees to survive. This was not always the case and I still have many musician friends who have to take those bar gigs to make ends meet.

I feel that they, as musicians, should not have to risk their health to do the jobs they’ve trained hard for. Just as I didn’t when I was younger, they don’t see any other options.

Secondhand smoke is a major complaint among working musicians. How cool it would be for all of us to perform in smoke-free, healthy environments.

Lynn Deeves, Richmond