The one thing that really made me upset about Columbus was their ban on smoking which was set to take effect January 31st. Many bars already have gone smoke free. The Buckeye Hall of Fame Museum is one example of a bar that has gone smoke free.
As one who enjoys a fine cigar I don't appreciate being told by our robes masters that I have to go outside with a -10 windchill to enjoy my Opus X. If I spend $12 on a cigar, I want to enjoy it in warmth with a sidecar of Makers Mark.
You can read about the ordinance here. Their argument is the same old same old; clean air for kids (who should not be in a bar to begin with) and the workers. But most of the workers I talked to didn't like it because they smoked too.
It all turns out that these people don't like the free market deciding. These puritanical folks and reformed smokers think that they, not you, are better at deciding what is in your best interest.
If they know so much better then me, then they can balance my checkbook. Wait, they can't do that either.
As a consumer of fine tobaccos and bourbon I should be able to decide for myself where I want to eat and smoke. I have to say that when I go out to eat, I don't like smoke, but if I want to have a few drinks I do. I, not Columbus city council, should be able to decide where I spend my money.
If fact, when I choose where to spend a weekend next, it will probably be a city like Philadelphia. Where you can still enjoy a legal product with fear of fined by jackboots.
Posted by psugrad98 at January 25, 2005 08:26 AM
