Today it appears we are exceedingly closer to a state wide smoking ban in Wisconsin. A deal was struck in the Wisconsin State Legislature on Wednesday and it has backing from The Tavern League of Wisconsin, previously the biggest opponent of the smoking bans. The ban wouldn’t start until July 2010 and appears cigar bars and tobacco shops have been exempt. See the full story here.
My thoughts:
Let me first say that I am not against certain establishments banning smoking, in fact I think it’s a great business decision. Being a father, I would much rather bring my son to an establishment that does not permit smoking. However, deciding to permit smoking or not is the business owners choice and he/she must suffer the consequences of such a decision. Certainly businesses are public places, but it is private property and business owners should be free to run their business as they see fit. I agree with certain government regulations to help protect consumers, such as monopoly laws but this is not the case here. There are an extraordinarily large number of places we can congregate where smoking is not permitted and it is a choice you have to make as an individual. If a group of friends is meeting at a bar and you don’t want to be exposed to second hand smoke, suggest a different place, or don’t go, it is your choice, it is your freedom to choose – do you want the government to impede on your freedom to make adult decisions?
The next question I pose to you is when and where does it stop. If you think for one moment the anti-smoking advocates are just going to go stop here, you are profoundly mistaken my friend. This is first base for them and they are rounding for second, and they will not stop till they steal home – literally your home. The anti-smoking folks don’t even want you to smoke on your private property. The property you paid for with your hard earned money. The anti-smoking crowd will not stop till every last cigarette butt and every last cigar is snubbed out. This isn’t just a prediction, this is a promise America. Also, this isn’t just smoking bans that they are trying to oppress you with; it is high taxes on your cigars. SCHIP is just the beginning of higher taxes on your cigars and with the current administration there is no telling how high the taxes will go. The last question for you is when are you going to stand up for yourself and tell them that you don’t want them to protect you anymore? When is enough going to be enough?
I highly encourage you to join Cigar Rights of America and fight for you cigar rights. The site also has local coverage of smoking bans and excessive taxation on cigars. Also visit The Defiance Alliance and get a cool hat for joining.
DEFIANCE Sales Manager Belinda Doyle says it best. “Enjoying a cigar with friends is how many of us choose to spend the most triumphant or relaxing moments of our lives. Excessive taxation and oppressive laws are extinguishing the flame of this simple pleasure and the future of our industry. We need to stand up for our rights.”
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I really had no idea what was going on here in regard to the smoking ban in WI. Thanks for keeping me updated!