The Dosquatch Says…

Virginia’s smoking ban isn’t as much of a ban as its name might indicate. There are exemptions for restaurants on tobacco-manufacturer property, “private” restaurants, and any establishment that goes to the expense of setting up a separate area with an independent ventilation system.

My mind whirls with ways to thumb a nose at the new law. I don’t know how many one would have to sell, but any restaurant that offers, say, cigars rolled on the spot, or perhaps custom blend pipe tobacco, could claim themselves a “tobacco manufacturer” and therefore exempt. Or, claim to be “private” and offer $1 lifetime memberships.

What I really want to see is the law turned on its head. Somebody, please, post “no pinklung” stickers on the door of your restaurant and refuse to allow non-smokers to enter until you can build them a separately ventilated hamster cage of their very own.

Social Commentary ban, smoking

Virginia’s ban on smoking went into effect today. This is heralded as a win for public health. I call bullshit.

I am a former smoker. I do not advocate smoking, and wholeheartedly admit to the benefits of quitting, or better still never starting. I have no doubt that “second hand” exposure has a negative impact.

None of this is the point.

This is about personal freedom. Freedom includes the freedom to engage in inadvisable activities without suffering the bane of nannystateism. This is the same basic objection I have to, say, seat belt laws.

If it is my desire to smoke, that choice ought not be hindered by your druthers. If Ye Olde Restaurante doesn’t mind my smoking in their establishment, that also ought not be yours to hinder… no more so than it should be mine to compel a smoking section should Ye Olde’s choice go the other way.

Indeed, this is exactly the choice every establishment had before today, and a goodly many of them in fact voluntarily chose to go non-smoking, and without any damage to their sales or I imagine they would have switched back in a hot hurry.

But it was their choice. And it was yours to not partake of their establishment if you should have fault with their choice, in either direction. That is, if smoking bothers you, you had plenty of options that were non-smoking.

Today, we lost that choice.

Every freedom lost, no matter how insignificant or inadvisable, diminishes all other freedoms. Congratulations on your Pyrrhic victory.

Social Commentary freedom, smoking