Letter of the day: Is it Act 2 for the Minnesota smoking ban?

Last update: February 16, 2008 - 4:51 PM

I applaud the efforts of Mark Benjamin in exploiting a loophole in the law banning smoking in the bar. Granted, most logical and sane people understand that smoking is bad for your health ("To smoke or not to smoke? Barroom thespians find the play's the thing," Feb. 15). Yet we live in a land where business owners can offer a service or a product to the public as long as it is legal. And tobacco is a legal product to grow, sell and use.

The only argument for the ban, which does not hold water, is the right of the nonsmoker to visit these establishments with the expectation of a smoke-free environment. The debate over smokers' and nonsmokers' rights has no clear winner. The banning of smoking has created hardship on property owners who offer services that have allowed smoking in the past.

The Legislature and governor should repeal the smoking ban and replace it with incentives for smokeless restaurants and bars; they should also require bars and restaurants to clearly display whether or not they allow smoking. There is nothing illegal about smoking tobacco. Placing restrictions on business owners and home owners as to what they can and cannot have take place -- legal activities, within their walls -- removes the basic rights of all Americans to live free and pursue happiness.

CHRIS LUND, HAMBURG

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