November 02, 2005

Smokers' Endangered Habitat

When my grandchildren ask me about what life was like in 2005 one historical item I'll tell them is way back then you could still smoke outdoors. The kids will probably look at me dumbfounded. They'll assume I'm talking about grandma smoking her medcinal marijuana because of her arthritis. We'll soon live in a country where cigarettes will be legal to buy (no legislature has the guts to ban them) but illegal to light up. First, it was smoking bans in the workplace, then bars and resturants, now some want to ban smoking outdoors:

On Tuesday, Washington state voters will consider the first statewide ban on smoking within 25 feet of buildings that prohibit smoking. That would mean lighting up near offices, stores, theaters, restaurants and government buildings could bring a $100 fine.

This isn't about health, although the anti-smoking zealots will claim that. Breathing in some second-hand smoke while at an ATM for 30 seconds won't hurt anyone. They want to ban smoking outdoors because they don't want anyone smoking period. They don't like the smell (neither do I) or think smokers should be more healthy. Reason's Jacob Sullum is right that this creeping authoritarianism won't stop with beaches or office building entrances:

"If you ban smoking outside near a door or window, essentially you have no place to smoke except your own home - and maybe not even there," Sullum says. "What's next? Smoking in a house with children will be considered child abuse. Smoking around pets will be cruel to animals."

"Smoke-Free Zones Extend Outdoors"