Government Control and Smoking
Ten minutes ago, I received a broadcast email relating to the newly-inacted Pennsylvania state indoor smoking ban. Here is the e-mail:
PASSHE stands for “Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education” and it is the government institution for 14 universities in Pennsylvania. Let me start out by explaining the situation.
The law that Governor Ed Rendell (D) signed into place bans smoking in many public places and all private indoor commercial/industrial places (with exceptions such as bars that sell under a certain amount of food).
Although I will never be a smoker, I believe that this law impeeds on our rights. Why should the government tell a business owner that he cannot allow smoking inside of his building? What right does the government have to control his business? People can look out for themselves; they don’t need the government holding their hands. People, like me, will avoid places that have excessive smoking indoors. I watch out for my health and so do others. I eat my meals in the non-smoking section; I bowl on the days when the owner has prohibited smoking. I hold my breath when I walk by smokers outdoors. People watch out for their health. We don’t need more government and we certainly don’t need the government telling businesses how to run.
However, I do believe that cities (like New York City and Philadelphia) should be able to decide on outdoor bans, since there is such a dense population in a small area. Nobody should be allowed to intrude on our rights when we are indoors on non-government property.
As for outdoor smoking on campuses, I believe that the campus should be allowed to choose. PASSHE should not mandate smoke-free campuses. Campuses should decide on their own (Should we have designated areas? Should we ban it? Should we allow it everywhere?). Government always messes things up and we certainly don’t need Edward Rendell (D) or anyone else intruding on our rights.