Now Westfield Considering Smoking Ban
Wednesday, May 13, 2009

The trend towards Republican nanny-state government extends into Westfield, as the City considers a smoking ban. From the Indy Star report:

An ordinance that would prohibit smoking in several establishments -- restaurants, bars, businesses and 80 percent of hotel rooms -- was introduced Monday to the Westfield City Council.

The ban would extend to outdoor seating areas at restaurants and sports venues. People and businesses could be fined $50 to $500 if they violate the ordinance.

...

The council will have a public hearing on the ordinance at its June 8 meeting. City Council President Ken Kingshill expects council members and residents will have a wide range of opinions.

"It's probably one of the issues I've gotten the most e-mails on over time, and telephone calls for that matter, too," he said.

I don't smoke. Smoking is obviously unhealthy. However, this is still America, where tobacco is a product legal to adults. Moreover, I respect the right of the property owner to set their own policies within their property lines. This is an overreach of government, plain and simple. Indeed, any business owner who wishes to set a no-smoke policy is perfectly free to do so.

It is very telling that Republicans have been enacting these bans, in places like Carmel, and now perhaps in Westfield. Republicans obviously believe that government should intrude into the minute affairs of business operations.

Who needs Democrats when we have Republicans like these?

I hope to see strong support for liberty at the June 8 meeting.

Labels: property rights, Republican Party, smoking ban, tobacco, Westfield