The Starkville Board of Aldermen is considering an ordinance to ban smoking in bars and restaurants. Many reasons have been given for such a ban: public health, the immorality of smoking, bans help people quit and the lack of public places for nonsmokers, especially those who are allergic to smoke.
While these are definitely good reasons for proprietors to disallow smoking on their property, only one‹¨public health‹¨is a legitimate interest of the government, be it city, state or otherwise. Starkville and MSU do not suffer from a lack of smoke-free environments. For instance, while most of the bars in Starkville allow smoking, Dave’s Darkhorse Tavern is the only one that is consistently smoky.
Outside of public health, all other reasons for a smoking ban fall under personal taste or morality, something the government should never legislate. People who look for the government to pass a law to help them quit smoking need to grow up and take responsibility for their own actions. Perhaps they would prefer that peer pressure and addiction in general be feloniesܬit would definitely reduce the overcrowding in high schools and colleges.
Most, however, will argue that smoking presents a danger to public health. Note that the smokers’ health does not count here‹¨smoking is their decision, and there is ample warning on the tobacco package itself that smoking is harmful.
Instead, the government’s obligation to public health is primarily to inform people of the effects of polluted air. Second-hand smoke is a form of pollution, but so are car exhausts and flatuence. Regardless, an informed individual’s health is his or her own responsibility. Once again, though, people are generally aware of the potentially harmful effects of second-hand smoke. If they truly thought second smoke was harmful, they would not be going out now.
Undoubtedly, some people do avoid smoky venues, usually because of allergies. Smoking releases irritants that cause allergic reactions in some people; however, so do plants, pets, people, cars, power plants and practically everything else. Human beings can have allergic reactions to practically everything, and dealing with those reactions and personal health in general is the responsibility of the individual. Otherwise, we should ban fish, peanuts and other common allergens from restaurants to protect those not responsible enough to protect themselves.
Beyond allergic reactions, the actual health effects of secondhand smoke are hard to determine. Yes, it has been linked to cancer‹¨just like sunlight, oxygen and sand. Even if it does harm people’s health, are those health effects significant compared to other environmental factors like air pollution from burning fossil fuels? The answer remains unclear.
The city should not ban smoking from any private establishment in Starkvilleܬnot least of all because they are private establishments. While they serve the public, they should be allowed to manage their own affairs so long as they do not deceive or bring unanticipated harm upon their customers. Also, the government should always use the minimum amount of legal force. Even if second-hand smoke does present an undeniable threat to public health, a ban is unjust if smaller steps can mitigate the danger.
Instead of swatting a gnat with a sledgehammer, the city should consider appropriate and effective measures for reducing second-hand smoke while allowing bar and restaurant owners freedom to manage their establishments with minimal interference. Smoking is not the problem, anyway. Its effects on air quality are.
The city could instead regulate the air quality of the nonsmoking sections of restaurants. Or possibly it could require a minimum separation between smoking and nonsmoking sectionsܬone that can be experimentally shown to improve air quality in the non-smoking sections. In some cases they are right next to smoking sections, completely defeating their purpose.
Perhaps the city could mandate the installation of a filtration system that quickly and effectively removes harmful pollutants from the air. Ironically, such a system could improve air quality so much that the air in a smoking restaurant could be cleaner than the air outside.
Stopping the ban on smoking will require everyone to speak up. Call City Hall and express your opinion.