by Tammie Kuhn

Created on: January 05, 2009

There is no lack of evidence supporting the fact that both cigarette smoking and second hand smoke are detrimental to your health. Due to these documented health issues, smoking bans have been voted into law by many communities across the United States. I don't have a problem with enacting laws that promote the public good. What I have a problem with are laws enacted unilaterally, with no regard for business owner's rights.

If an individual chooses not to smoke, they have the right to socialize in a smoke-free environment. Smokers, by way of the by-products of their habits, infringe on these rights. These are individual choices, not the choices of the establishments that serve them. Why can't businesses be allowed to decide whether or not they are smoke-free? Clearly, I'm not talking about hospitals or government buildings - I'm talking about the private bars and restaurants that have seen their businesses decline by 60% or more due to these bans. Smokers make up a large percentage of these business's clientele.

I have seen first hand the negative effects of smoking bans. My husband and I are in a band that plays primarily in bars. In my area, smoking has been banned from bars and restaurants for almost two years. Since the ban, we have seen once-crowded bars turn into ghost towns. The bars that have remained in business have cut back on their entertainment. When we play, it is often to an empty bar; the patrons are outside smoking or choose not to come out at all. Several of the establishments we used to play have lost their businesses.

The smoking ban's negative impact in the communities in which they are enacted go far beyond the closing of bars and restaurants. Food service companies and liquor distributors have seen their sales plummet. Vending machine companies are forced to limit the amount of equipment in establishments, as well as raise rates for pool and the like. Even ATM operators are affected, less people mean less money being dispensed by ATMs. Millions of dollars in revenue have been lost for these types of companies. Even tax revenue to the state's where bans are enacted have seen a decline.

I don't want to see smoking in all public and private places. I don't believe anyone would argue that smoking is good for your health. What I'd like to see is certain businesses being allowed to choose whether or not they allow smoking in their establishment. Business classifications like bars and restaurants, which are not necessary for the general public to enter, should be exempt from smoking bans. They can choose to allow smoking, and post signs warning of potential health hazards. With this approach, the business owners are allowed to run their businesses as they see fit, and the patrons can make an informed decision about entering the premises.

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