[Mpls] smoking ban

[Michael Atherton]

To begin, I'd like to comment about the risk of second hand smoke
and statistics: it's irrelevant.  Why?  Because most people are
aware that second hand smoke *maybe* a health risk.  What
do we have to do?  Post signs outside of bars that say, "Entering
this establishment maybe hazardous to your health?"  Adults should
be free to take personal risks in their pursuit of happiness.
It is risky to go baseball games, car races, surfing, sun tanning,
bike riding, rock climbing, flying, on-and-on ...  

The critical point here is that there is no law that requires businesses 
to allow smoking.  Businesses are free to ban smoking, you are free
to not give them your business.   No one is forcing you to go out
to these places.  Why are there no smoke free clubs or bars? 
I think that the answer is that there isn't sufficient demand for them.

Rick Norby wrote:
 
> Not very pragmatic. I think we can all aspire to a higher level of 
> debate than this.

I simply stated that there are a number of conventional avenues 
to promote social change.  I think that they are valid:

1. You can provide alternatives.
2. You can protest.
3. You can legislate.
4. You can terrorize.

I don't see any justification to progress past level 2.  The only
reason that I think people are pushing for a ban, is because they
haven't been able produce change via Avenue 1 and it doesn't
appear that anyone has even attempted to promote change via Avenue
2 yet.  

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park