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THAT is just outrageous. Curse the day that kind of a law ever becomes commonplace. I can bend my mind somewhat (even though its tough) to comprehend a smoking ban in a bar or restaurant, but your OWN PROPERTY?!?!? I guess if you open that box you might as well regulate what kind of food you can consume in your house.
Seriously. People are starving all over the world and we're putting the hammer down on cigars, an industry that provides 1000s of jobs in several countries. :angry: :angry:
/political rant over.
Um, not to play devils advocate, but they DO regulate what you can do in your own house. They are called drug laws. Just as some people don't want to be exposed to cigar smoke, others don't want to be exposed to marijuana smoke.
Obviously, I do not think in this way, but I thought i'd give you some food for thought :thumbs:
I see one major flaw with your analagy, Marijuana is illegal no matter where you are. The one exception is if you have a medical permit, but even those aren't perfect either. Federal law still says it is illegal, so it is still possible to get a ticket or arrested, even if you bought it from a federally run store. Tobacco, at least for now, is completely legal to purchase, possess and consume (granted you are not in a "no-smoking" area).
There are some people pushing to make certain foods illegal because of the health risks they create. I don't think those laws will ever pass, but it doesn't mean people won't try.
Some people, for whatever reason, think it is the place of the government to regulate everything (cough, commies, cough
). I've never understood why, in a supposedly free society, so many people want more laws taking away those freedoms. With regard to smoking bans, I can understand them in enclosed areas. There are many people who don't smoke and they shouldn't have to deal with it if they want to enjoy the same places as everyone else. More so when it comes to the health risks to the workers in those establishments. HOWEVER, when it comes to forbidding me to smoke in an open, outdoor environment, that is where I draw the line! I don't light up in crowded areas because it is rude, and I can't enjoy my smoke, but I love to go for a walk. The first day I get a ticket for smoking on the sidewalk, I don't know what I'd do. I would seriously consider moving to a free country.
Please don't get me wrong, some laws and regulations are necessary. I work in the banking industry, and the slow deterioration of Depression era regulations have lead to the current state of the economy. I just think that there are certain areas where the government NEEDS to keep their hands off.
Ugh, like it was stated earlier, we're on a slippery slope. There's no telling where it will end.
