by Jennifer Lawson

Created on: November 18, 2008

To ban or not to ban.

We are entitled by the Constitution of the United States of America to have a right to and the freedom to choose what we want to do within the limits of the law. Smoking is not illegal, so we have the freedom to choose whether or not we do it.

There has been a rush to ban smoking in restaurants, bars, and even outside and in our own cars. It seems that there would be better ways to solve the problems that are assumed to be created from smoking in these places.

Banning smoking is discrimination. Should we ban someone who is overweight from eating within view? Should we ban a black person from riding a bus with us because there are a lot of prejudice people in our country? Should we have a special closed off seconds for parents with young children to shop because they may be noisy and annoy us? Should we ban a white person from going to a specific area in town because we just don't want them there? Should we ban a girl from the dance floor because we feel she uses too much hairspray. These examples are ridiculous as well as discriminating against a smoker. If one has legally chosen to smoke, they should be able to do it and not judged or banned.

We are guaranteed the ability and the power to choose what we will or will not do in our life. I have the right to choose whether or not to smoke as well as the right to choose whether or not I will go into a restaurant or bar that allows smoking. Freedom to choose is the foundation of what our country is supposed to be about and what our brothers, fathers, and sons are fighting for. No one can be sure but it would be a good assumption that most of them if asked would tell you that they are not fighting to keep people from smoking.

So why is this such a huge issue? It seems that most of us even though we try not to be, are judgmental. In order to be judgmental we have to have an opinion. Our judgmental opinions are usually based on what we choose in our own lives, therefore, believing that "our way is the best way". This seems insane in 2008. Who are we to say what should or shouldn't be done when we have not made it illegal and don't believe that we could. Shooting someone is illegal, so we are not allowed to do it anywhere. We do not get to say where it is or isn't all right to shoot someone. It's either legal or illegal and until a bar or restaurant or a personal car becomes it's own country and can fight for its right to make it's own laws then we cannot persecute anyone that chooses to do something legal.

I like to stand with the basic rule of what to do when you cross something you don't like in public. If you don't like it, want to hear it, want to see it, or want to feel it, stay away from it. Do not take away my choice so that yours can be given priority. I'm sure that many will stand firm in the fact that everyone's choice is equal. You will still have your judgements as I do, it's a human trait that I doubt will change anytime soon. Our judgement, however, is in no way equal to the law. If it were, then there would only be one brand of perfume sold or just a couple brands of my favorite jeans, and only purple cars ever sold. Sounds good to me and every other fan of the color purple.

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