[Mpls] RE: Smoking ban

[Michael Atherton]

Jared Chester wrote:

> People that don't smoke, have children or breathing issues do not have
> the option to go to these establishments if there is smoking.  People
> that do smoke can chose to not smoke and still go.  Simple, right? 
> 
> I just can't ignore the fact that I see families that go to 
> places such as the Chatterbox that would never ever go there before.  
> Besides, you can actually smell their food now.  Its wonderful.  No 
> one has banned the legal choice of smoking. The ban simply limits the 
> negative impact of a person's individual choice to smoke.
> 
> Let's hear from other families or individuals with asthma or emphysema
> (from smoking before) that can enjoy restaurants now that businesses
> don't have to cater to the smokers.  

Just think of smoking as Mariachi music.  You can ban it
from  bars and restaurants because you think it's morally 
offensive or you can allow people to choose not to frequent 
places where it is played.  The latter option allows people
who enjoy Mariachi music to have some places to go and
hear it.

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park