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Dec
19
Smoking Ban Violates Basic Property Rights
December 19, 2006 |
The whole smoking ban issue in Allegheny County is a property rights fiasco. Two downtown restaurant owners have filed lawsuits against the ban, stating it treats their businesses unfairly, putting them at a disadvantage to the exempted few.
While they may be right, that line of thinking ignores basic, constitutional property rights that anti smoking nazis are all too willing to cast aside for personal victor.
True enough, smoking is an unhealthy habit. True enough, smoke filled environments are not enjoyed by the non smoking folks who choose to eat at them. True enough, those who work in smoker friendly establishments must tolerate the inconvenience and possible health consequences, of which both sides debate the severity of health risks.
But none of this justifies the basic freedoms truly free people are entitled to with their own, personal property.
Those visiting eateries are guests. Nobody forces you to dine where there is smoke. Live with it, or tell the management you don’t like it and eat elsewhere. It is NOT your property. Sorry.
As for those who CHOOSE to work in the industry, you have made a lifestyle choice to work in a bar or a restaurant. Nobody forced you to work there. Yet this loophole — worker safety — is being used to justify the removal of property owners’ rights to allow on their property what they choose among otherwise consenting adults.
Oh, yes, I’ve heard it all before. “You are making them choose between their health and their jobs!” Weep, weep. Nobody is forcing anybody to work anywhere. Plenty of shops don’t allow smoking. Work there.
Unfortunately, the two business people filing suit against the ban can no longer argue property rights in the U.S.A., the former land of the free. We must settle for the freest of lands, and ever less so year after year. Nanny-state addictions will win, and they are already slowly ruining this once great nation.
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