Smoking Ban

Smoking bans as proposed will become a very controversial topic as it progresses. [Smoking-ban plan will be debated in Jeffersonville]

There is little doubt that smoking contributes to significant health related problems and that it costs taxpayers and anyone who pays insurance a significant amount of money.

But is it Government’s role to legislate this in private businesses? As most people know who have read my comments, I believe in less Government intrusion and more in personal choice and responsibility.

I believe individuals have the right to make brainless decisions and accept the consequences of their decisions. If what they choose affects others in a detrimental way, than I think there is an argument for some regulation.

I believe smoking should be banned in any public facility in which persons who frequent those facilities do so out of necessity and not choice. Examples would be hospitals, government buildings like courthouses, license branches etc., grocery stores and shopping centers, airports, schools and universities.

I do not believe that we should regulate and ban smoking in bars and restaurants. The owners of these facilities should have the right to choose if they want to allow smoking and whether they want to have designated smoking areas. Individuals can choose to patronize these establishments because it is typically done out of choice and not necessity and therefore should be at the discretion of the individuals. Free market will then guide decisions of business owners.

Smoking is a significant health hazard, an addiction, and an absolutely ludicrous choice to make, but there is no regulation against stupidity. Artificial Intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

Albert Einstein once said;
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.

And Scott Adams who developed the Dilbert comics said:
You can never underestimate the stupidity of the general public.