2008 Woodie Awards
Don't snuff out smoking
Ridiculous laws would ban lighting up, ignore common sense
Lori Mangan
Issue date: 1/24/07 Section: Viewpoints
Is it me, or does it seem like every time we turn around, another study shows that second-hand smoke is harmful? Seriously, though: We get it. Smoking and breathing in second-hand smoke are bad for you. I don't really know anyone who would say either is good for you.
The commercials drive me crazy too. You've probably seen them. There's one where a 30-something-year-old waitress is working in a smoke-filled restaurant. She is barely able to wait on tables as thick plumes of smoke impede her way. Then, you hear a sweet little girl's voice pleading for you not to smoke where her mommy works. Am I the only one who wonders why her mom doesn't just get a job somewhere else?
These commercials, of course, are intended to make smokers feel guilty for smoking in restaurants and other public places. They are propaganda for anti-smoking organizations. Now, these groups should be allowed to voice their opinions just like anyone else. Freedom of expression is their right.
That said, why is it acceptable to take away the rights of people on the opposing side? Smokers should have the right to patronize businesses that allow them to smoke and business owners should have the right to allow patrons to smoke in their businesses. The new smoking ban in Ohio, however, is taking away these rights.
Thank goodness this hasn't happened in Kentucky - yet. The recent 2006 Clean Air Act passed on Northern Kentucky University's campus was, at least, a fair compromise. Smokers still get designated areas where they are allowed to smoke on campus. Non-smokers get a smoke-free walkway into class. Everyone wins.
But, Ohio's ban on smoking in public places and places of employment is absolutely ridiculous. The government has gone too far this time. How is it possible, in the United States of America, that the government can tell business owners that they are not allowed to let anyone smoke in their establishments?
Granted, the National Institute of Health said in the 2006 Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, that smoking is one of the major causes of preventable deaths. But it also found alcohol abuse and obesity are too.
So what will the government ban next? Will bars and restaurants soon serve only non-alcoholic drinks? Will public Twinkie-eating soon be illegal?
You probably think I'm sitting here, angrily puffing away on cigarettes as I'm writing this. Truth is I'm not a smoker. I'm simply an American citizen who believes in free enterprise. Do you?
The commercials drive me crazy too. You've probably seen them. There's one where a 30-something-year-old waitress is working in a smoke-filled restaurant. She is barely able to wait on tables as thick plumes of smoke impede her way. Then, you hear a sweet little girl's voice pleading for you not to smoke where her mommy works. Am I the only one who wonders why her mom doesn't just get a job somewhere else?
These commercials, of course, are intended to make smokers feel guilty for smoking in restaurants and other public places. They are propaganda for anti-smoking organizations. Now, these groups should be allowed to voice their opinions just like anyone else. Freedom of expression is their right.
That said, why is it acceptable to take away the rights of people on the opposing side? Smokers should have the right to patronize businesses that allow them to smoke and business owners should have the right to allow patrons to smoke in their businesses. The new smoking ban in Ohio, however, is taking away these rights.
Thank goodness this hasn't happened in Kentucky - yet. The recent 2006 Clean Air Act passed on Northern Kentucky University's campus was, at least, a fair compromise. Smokers still get designated areas where they are allowed to smoke on campus. Non-smokers get a smoke-free walkway into class. Everyone wins.
But, Ohio's ban on smoking in public places and places of employment is absolutely ridiculous. The government has gone too far this time. How is it possible, in the United States of America, that the government can tell business owners that they are not allowed to let anyone smoke in their establishments?
Granted, the National Institute of Health said in the 2006 Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, that smoking is one of the major causes of preventable deaths. But it also found alcohol abuse and obesity are too.
So what will the government ban next? Will bars and restaurants soon serve only non-alcoholic drinks? Will public Twinkie-eating soon be illegal?
You probably think I'm sitting here, angrily puffing away on cigarettes as I'm writing this. Truth is I'm not a smoker. I'm simply an American citizen who believes in free enterprise. Do you?
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
William Roha
posted 1/24/07 @ 11:38 PM EST
I believe companies have a responsibility for providing a safe working environment for their employees.
There is no level of second-hand smoke that is safe. (Continued…)
shaun fugate
posted 1/25/07 @ 12:35 AM EST
I understand the arguement on each side. As an expecting father, I dont want my pregnant wife to walk through a cloud of smoke at a bar to get to the restroom at our favorite bar. (Continued…)
JR
posted 1/25/07 @ 2:29 PM EST
Why try to justify what you know is a harmful behavior? The reason for the commercial you mentioned is that single female servers, many with children, make up a disproportionate part of the restaurant and bar industry. (Continued…)
Dan
posted 1/26/07 @ 12:36 PM EST
"go to Kentucky since they haven't caught on to the whole public health thing yet. " where do you go to school JR?
Why don't you stay on that side of the river?
ColleenOC
ColleenOC
posted 2/19/07 @ 4:14 PM EST
I recognize the points in arguments pertaining to one's right to act freely and a business's right to allow certain behaviors within their establishments. (Continued…)
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