Smoking Bans: Banning Freedom
Posted by admin on February 21st, 2012
Watch more videos: lrnlbty.co According to Prof. Aeon Skoble, smoking bans are on the rise in America. At first glance, this trend seems to stage a battle of rights. The smoker claims to have the right to smoke, while the nonsmoker claims the right to clean air in “public” places such as restaurants and bars. In an important way, however, restaurants and bars are private places. They have owners, just like homes. Skoble argues that restaurant and bar owners should be able to set smoking rules for their establishments, much like you can set smoking rules in your own household. Nobody forces a customer into a particular restaurant or bar; drinkers and diners are free to choose among the alternatives available, each of which has a unique environment, including its set of smoking rules. Discussions about “smoker’s rights vs. nonsmoker’s rights” miss the fundamental issue: restaurant and bar owners’ property rights.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@bwaryn Yes, but the smoker is well aware of those possible effects associated with smoking. Banning or ‘sin’ taxing a product because you don’t like them is the issue in question here.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
I disagree, a restaurant is a public place, you can not discriminate against protected classes. Where as at a residence you can. I hate smokers and I am glad it is banned most places.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@chronDiggity Alright, so you can’t own the ocean, but you can own the air.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@Joe11Blue This video is misleading, they are talking just about the tip of the iceberg, smoking provokes lots of the deaths and disease, when you smoke you harm others and yourself.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
I appreciate the position the speaker is taking, however the rights of the employee need to be taken into account as well. I know there is an argument that say’s an employee could choose to work in a smoking or non-smoking establishment, however economics might preclude them from being able to make that choice, which I believe is discriminatory. Came from reddit.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@MoldytoasterMedia
Yes, literally you own the air space within your home.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@PrecisePuncher why?
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@chronDiggity Maybe i’ll try Bangladesh, i hear they have some good air quality.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@MoldytoasterMedia
Or try one of the many smoke-free apartment buildings.
It’s like me complaining about noise when I moved somewhere with no noise ordinance.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@TigerghostPictures Public Health is another pc term used by those in charge to hide behind while they slowly take away our freedoms. One day it will be one of yours. What then?
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@TheOneLionheart In my opinion, the line should be drawn at the initiation of force. As long as the owner is not using force i should not use it either. Although i find racism to be disgusting, I do not think it is ok for me or anyone else to make an owner treat everyone equally. I would however boycott the establishment and encourage others not to give them any business.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@TheOneLionheart Yes, they should be allowed to. This is the right of association, and just as you are allowed to discriminate against letting certain individuals into your bedroom, you should be allowed to discriminate against letting certain individuals into your shop. If you own an apple, and you aren’t allowed to decide who to sell it to, is that really ownership?
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@Imperiused Employees don’t have a right to healthy working conditions on another person’s property when employment is voluntary.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@Imperiused Employees have the right to choose to work in either a smoking or non smoking establishment based on what they prefer. They do not however have the right to tell other people how they should live their own lives.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@johnqsurvivor
That wasn’t my point, look at the comment I responded to.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
Charismatic but way off.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@chronDiggity Its not up to the bartender to inform you. That’s up to you to inform yourself, and to make your own choices. Or would you rather someone else make up your mind?
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
What about employees though? The speaker equates restaurants with one’s home, but everyone knows that they aren’t the same thing. Employees have the right to healthy working conditions.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
Should the property owners have the right to forbid service to people of specific races, religions, or gender? Not trying to be a troll, but is there a line? And, if so, where is it?
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@MoldytoasterMedia
you don’t own the ocean, nobody can. In fact even the piece of sandy beach wouldn’t be yours to pollute.
Selling access to the beach house and allowing smokers is what would fit.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@MoldytoasterMedia bad analogy
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
i’m a non-smoker and absolutely agree!
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
Seriously, what the FUCK is going on with these God dammed comments?
automatic updates broken, 200 character limit pain in my dick
February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@SvenBenson
Are they selling access to the toilet? Do they disclose the possibility of sickness if the toilet is used?
Do bar owners disclose the dangers of second hand smoke to all customers?