In the scientifically advanced age that we live in there are many areas of knowledge which we as individuals may take advantage of to increase our own wellbeing. We have scientifically proven that using tobacco is harmful to our health. It causes cancer, heart disease, and a host of other health problems. It is wonderful that we know enough today to be able to choose based on proven things, how to be healthy. But out of this wonderful blessing, there has grown a problem. The problem is pertaining to this freedom of choice which is so wonderfully provided us. The same people who have rightfully informed us of these health risks are now trying – wrongfully – to tell us how to live our lives. The effort to ban smoking - a lawful practice – within private businesses, such as restaurants and bars is bent on taking away our freedom of choice. In a free society such as ours, people live the “American Dream” every day by starting their own businesses with the hope of success. The entrepreneurial spirit that is so evident in our great country is as strong and longstanding as it is because people have always been given a freedom of choice in how to run their businesses. If we take away their right to choose, we take away the American Dream, and give them instead mandated government control, telling them what is “wrong” and “right.”
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Why is it that many business owners choose to allow smoking in their establishments? It is simply because the people who patronize those businesses want it that way. It has always been this way in our country. The free market is the driving force, and because of its nature it will always be fair. If there is a substantial number of people who do not want to deal with secondhand smoke in the place they patronize (which there is), there will be a proportional number of bars and restaurants that do not allow smoking (which there is). Conversely, if there are people who would choose to be subjected to secondhand smoke, there will be bars and restaurants that cater to their wishes. After all, smoking is a legal activity. We are all free to choose whether or not to partake. It is the business owners right to choose whether or not to allow it. The free market will show that owner which way they should go. It is not the governments place to dictate that direction. If we use rule of law to ban smoking in these private places of business, we are only hurting ourselves: The free market will suffer and our right to make our own decisions will be compromised. So what comes next? After this will it be the government telling us which foods to eat? What kind of music to listen to? How to raise our children? After all, these too are personal choices that may be destructive. Let us all stand up and defend our beloved right to choose for ourselves. We choose where we work, we choose where we live, we choose where we eat our lunch, and we are all capable of choosing whether or not to eat and drink in a place that allows smoking. Let's exercise our right to choose, and keep this country the greatest country on earth!
