Monday, October 5, 2009

A Call to Arms - Proposed Smoking Ban Extension

The City-County Council is going to begin considering a total smoking ban in Marion Co. removing the current exemptions for Bars, Tobacco Shops and Private Clubs.

Regardless of whether or not you’re a smoker, this issue is a classic case of the nanny state trying to remove an individual’s freedom to make his or her own choice. That’s what it distills down to, choice.

If a bar or tavern allows smoking I can choose to patronize that establishment or not. The question becomes one of, am I willing to put up with a couple of hours of second hand smoke to gain some other desirable benefit such as a great band, really good food, attractive members of the opposite sex (or the same sex if that’s applicable), or is the presence of smokers enough to deter my patronage. The choice is mine, not the government’s.

Two dates to keep in mind:

Oct 5, 2009 (today) The City-County Council takes up the issue for the first time; 7:00 PM City-County Building
Oct 7, 2009 (Wednesday) Libertarian After Hours; 5:00 PM-?, The Beer Garden at the Rathskeller. Strategy, among other things, will be discussed.

1 comment:

Eclecticvibe said...

Yay. I get to agree with you Ed. While I'm glad I quit smoking a few years back, I don't think that we should regulate what adults do on private property. I understand the danger posed to the employees and others, but the risk is very obvious if you chose to be in that environment. I'll miss the few smoky places left, when I fear inevitably they will disappear.