Ohio voters passed a law this year making smoking in or near a place of business illegal. The law is in limbo due to constitutional concerns and lack of defined penalties, but it is the law.
- Non smokers are directed to call 866 559 OHIO to report anyone illegally smoking.
- Smokers are directed to call 866 4 OH JERKS to report instances of menacing by inconsiderate bystanders.
I am a strong supporter of our democratic system. I have voted in every election and worked the polling sites in most of them.
Ethics aside this law is scary. We just gave up a right. We may never get it back. In a time of war and increased terrorist activity I wonder why Ohioans (and others across the country) are so concerned about how and where their neighbors choose to enjoy a legally obtained substance.
Which other rights are we as citizens willing to give up? Perhaps we should be prohibited from wearing blue and red shirts on election day. It could influence the voters. Maybe we should consider banning the use of plastic bags. They may suffocate the children.
Ohio is no stranger to dumb laws though. It is illegal to ride on the roof of a taxi cab or to run out of gas in Youngstown. Women may not wear patent leather shoes in Ohio. And people cannot be arrested on the Fourth of July. Unfortunately all true. (
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The last time I checked this country ran under the concept of a Free Market. That is a business makes decisions based on the desires of its' customer base. Using smoking as an example, Ridge Cocktail Lounge, a local bar, determined that their clients wanted to be able to smoke, drink, and play pool. Applebees restaurant determined that their customers desired a smoke free environment.
If the customers of a business speak with their feet and their wallets then the business will either respond or die. It is that simple. Voters in Ohio took that right away. Some businesses will close their doors forever. The communities that they are in will lose that tax money and their clients will lose that service. True they may be replaced and the world will go on, but if the business is family owned it may directly change their lives -- loss of job, assets, and bankruptcy is not out of the question.
