Freedom is about choice. The Herald Editorial Board has taken a stand against choice. The Herald would eliminate all smoking in what they refer to as “public places” (“Momentum is on the side of an indoor smoking ban,” Dec. 5).
Restaurants, bars, taverns, etc., are in fact private businesses, for the most part owned and operated by individuals. Owners of such establishments presently have the choice of allowing or banning smoking without government interference. Those who do not wish to be bothered by smokers are free to choose those establishments that do not allow smoking, or they can take their life in hand and enter one of the smoke-filled businesses. Those of us who do smoke are free to choose establishments that permit our vice. Workers, too, have a choice as to where they work or don’t work. I believe we are still free enough to make those decisions on an individual basis. Freedom is about choice.
Restaurants are a necessity since we all need food. There should be choices for smokers and nonsmokers, and there are. Bars, taverns, bowling alleys and casinos are not necessities and if these private businesses choose to allow smoking, non-smokers can choose not to enter. The bottom line is that private businesses, without government mandates, have the right to ban smoking or to allow smoking. Any restaurant, bar, tavern, bowling alley or casino can ban smoking tomorrow. They should be allowed that choice.
Cuba is probably a good example of a country without choices, therefore without freedom. That government makes choices for its population and controls behavior through mandate. The Herald would have us believe that eliminating choice is good for us. Freedom is about choice.
Arlington
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