thank you for smoking

Normally, my dad and I can chew the fat on politics and agree on pretty much everything. Except about smoking.

To generally confuse the heck out of people, there are TWO Propositions on the ballot regarding smoking. One will outright ban smoking in all public places, including bars and restaurants (201) and the other will ban smoking in restaurants but not bars (206).

Needless to say Phillip Morris is throwing lots of money into 206. If both pass with a majority, the proposition with the highest number of votes will win in the end.

Unclear which will win out in the end. I put my vote for 201 and not 206 (which is what most media outlets are suggesting anyway). I heard my dad mutter under his breath that 201 was going too far and he wasn't going to vote for it.

If it's true that smokers are in the minority, then why do they have the right to pollute my lungs? The fact that smoking is allowed in bars is the reason why I don't go. So perhaps business would actually go up if nonsmokers felt more comfortable in their establishments.

And here's something to add fuel to my argument. An article was published that studied air filtration systems that are designed to get rid of cigarette smoke. They specifically profiled a restaurant in Mesa that was in compliance with their local ordinanace.

Big shock. These systems either didn't reduce smoke particulates, or made them even worse.

How many decades has it been common knowledge that smoking is bad for you, and the people around you? It's time to start accepting that others don't have to be around smoke from a minority of the population.

BTW: You will still be allowed to smoke in casinos since the tribal lands are soverign.