So, in Michigan, the proposed bill to ban smoking in bars/pubs and restaurants is all buzz in the media.
This is such a crock of !@#$%. People for years have decided whether or not to have smoking/non-smoking bars. It has always been upto the business owner whether or not he wants his bar to be a smoke-free environment. The government has no right to come in and say,"You are no longer allowed to smoke in the bars in Michigan. Period." First, it takes away the customers freedom, second it takes away the business owners freedom to allow smokers. Yes, second-hand smoke is dangerous. No arguement from me, there.
But, there are just as many, if not more non-smoking bars here than smoking ones. I am all for the restaurant ban. Kids are at restaurants and can't decide for themselves to go to restaurants. Their parents do. So, I have no problem with that. But a bar is an adult place. If you don't like smoke, then go to another bar. You have the choice. No one is forcing you to go to Pete's Pub that has smoking. The thing is that smoking bars have more business than non-smoking bars. It's just a fact here. I don't care how many reports say otherwise because all those reports are from people that have an agenda against smoking in public. Too many people have called into the radios saying that there is more business in their smoking bar than the non-smoking one across the street. It's just where the party is apparently. And the non-smoking businesses don't like to lose business. Seriously. Leave it upto the business owners. I also heard from the radios that alot of people are now opening up "underground" pubs in their basements since they can smoke freely in their homes, in the states that have smoking in bars illegal.
My opinion...Discuss.
BTW: After a smoking ban from pubs, what's the next thing the government is going to try to control? Sounds alot like the USA is headed for socialism/communism more and more every year.