[Mpls] Smoking: What IS the regional solution?

[Michael Atherton]

Ken Jorissen wrote:

> But it is not only a property rights issue. It is a public 
> health issue as well and the current majority seems to be 
> deciding that the public health costs outweighs the property 
> rights issue in this case.

If secondhand smoke only affects those who have chosen
to be exposed how is it a "public" health issue?  I can't
see that it is unless you are going to allow government
to make private health decisions for individuals on
issues that have no effect on the general public.
A very very steep, slippery, and dangerous slope. 
Don't forget that legally, abortion is considered a
private health decision.  Do we want government making
these types of decisions for individuals?

I believe that providing ventilated rooms for smokers
in private establishments is a reasonable regional 
solution (That will probably never be agreed upon by
consensus.  I also think that some non-smoking advocates may
be correct in suggesting that the emphasis on regional
solutions may just be diversionary.) 

Please explain why smoking rooms, that would insure that
non-smokers are not exposed, are not a reasonable compromise.

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park