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Should smoking be allowed in public places? Most people will answer this question with a definite yes or no. However, I am inclined to be much more diplomatic than most others and suggest the rights of smokers are just as important as the rights of non-smokers for a number of reasons. First, smokers and non-smokers alike pay taxes, which fund most state, local and federal governments. Second, smokers and non-smokers vote and elect leaders to run our multi-tier governments. Third, smokers and non-smokers each have the choice of whether to smoke or not.

Now, by allowing non-smokers to make choices for everyone is just as unfair as allowing smokers to light up everywhere don't you agree? Why have non-smokers been granted the right to dictate to all establishments whether they can allow smoking? Does this seem any fairer than the days of Prohibition in America? In my opinion, it does not seem fair in the least.

If a public establishment, whether it is a store, restaurant, or bar decides to allow customers, patrons, and even employees to smoke that should be the right of the individual business. Perhaps there should be some sort of notice provided to non-smokers at the entrance which signifies the establishment as a smokers paradise as a means of preventing those health conscious individuals from exposing themselves. This seems a much fairer alternative than to allow one group to this debate to dictate to the other. Besides, who granted only the non-smoking population the right to decide for everyone?

I know I certainly was never asked how I felt about the situation and likely, neither have many of you ever consulted on this matter. Mandates, dictates, demands, and now ultimatums regarding smoking are inconsistent with allowing individuals the opportunity to make choices in their own interest. Anyone of legal consenting age should be allowed to make his or her own choice regarding any type of human indulgence desired based on volition and desire rather than demands by those opposing in nature.

In short, in any society the right to make the wrong choice is just as important as the right to demand the reduction of options leading to the wrong choice. Neither is more important than that which opposes it and that includes the smoke or not smoke populations.

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