Looks like nothing but editorials and commentary on the front page, today. For instance:
Why Indy's behind the pack
Streak of individualism, lack of a health culture block smoking ban
I dunno WTF a "health culture" is, unless maybe it's the yogurt Sally left in the refrigerator, but they say "Streak of individualism" like it's a bad thing. Personally, I'd be inclined to say that we're not behind the pack, we're actually leading the way for greater personal freedom and a free marketplace where business owners can set their own damn rules, and live and die based on whether or not their patrons wish to continue patronizing them.
A sidebar has a list of the 20 largest cities in the US and whether or not they have instituted smoking bans:
Majority of big cities ban smoking in bars
Smoking in bars is prohibited in 13 of the 20 largest U.S. cities. Which cities have bans, and the years they became effective:• New York City: local ban, 2006.
• Los Angeles: state ban, 1998.
• Chicago: state ban, 2008.
• Houston: local ban, 2007.
• Philadelphia*: no ban.
• Phoenix: state ban, 2007.
• San Antonio: no ban.
• San Diego: state ban, 1998.
• Dallas: local ban, 2009.
• San Jose, Calif.: local ban, 1998.
• Detroit*: no ban.
• Indianapolis: no ban.
• Jacksonville, Fla.*: no ban.
• San Francisco: state ban, 1998.
• Columbus, Ohio: local ban, 2004.
• Austin, Texas: local ban, 2005.
• Memphis, Tenn.*: no ban.
• Baltimore: local ban, 2008.
• Fort Worth, Texas: no ban.
• Charlotte, N.C.: state ban, 2010.*Four states -- Pennsylvania, Michigan, Florida and Tennessee -- have laws that pre-empt municipalities from passing smoking bans.
Sources: Indiana University School of Medicine's Bowen Research Center; American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation; Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights
Which led inexorably to the question: "If thirteen of 20 other large American cities jumped off a cliff, would the Star want Indianapolis to jump, too?"
I have to agree with the online commenter who said:
what a poorly written article geez. why doesn't the writer just add [that it's] her editorial, which it is !!!
Fishwrap. Cat box liner. The damn thing is useless for just about any other purpose.
Disclaimer: Again: I do not smoke, and I can't be around too much smoke without triggering chronic bronchitis. But I absolutely do not believe that this kind of law protects me from other, similar laws that might infringe on my right to do other things that I happen to enjoy. I can choose to avoid smoky establishments, and I also choose to work for an employer who maintains a smoke-free environment. My concern is that these "health culture" laws are slippery slopes and they will, without doubt, lead to further legislation that even anti-smokers will come to regret. Mark my words.
"First they came for the smokers, and I was silent...then they came for the coffee drinkers, and I said nothing...then they came for the soda machines, and I dithered..."
Give 'em an inch, citizens, and they'll take a mile.
Oh, God help you if you come for the coffee drinkers. On the other hand, we're all so jittery it's unlikely we'd be able to shoot straight. So, you know, you takes your chances.
What if the governments mandated that all currently smoke-free hospitality venues MUST provide a smoking section to accommodate smokers, against the wishes of business owners who choose
to go smoke-free of their own free will?
That wouldn't be fair, would it?
Neither are government mandated smoking bans.
Amen, Sir. the only concession I would make to the anti-smoking Nazis is that a business that allows smoking shoul display a sign denoting such on its door.
If iowned such a business I would make sure "This is a smoking establishment" was prominent on all of my applications for employment.
HB, smoking establishments in Indianapolis are required to display a prominent sign that they are, indeed, smoking establishments. And I believe they also state that those under 18 are not allowed in the building. I eat dinner at the Elbow Room in Indy at least a couple of times a month and they have one on the door.
Can't remember if this was due to a state law or a city ordinance, but it's been the case for a year or so.