[Mr. Silverback]

I'm not really trying to stand up for the antismoking movement, I am just interested in how we determine the scope of a local government's power.

I would say protecting people from a bad smell that is proven not to harm anyone and is present only in tiny areas for a short time is far, far beyond the scope of local government.

Local government is there to maintain safe and orderly streets, not act as the smell police.

[timm22]

I would say protecting people from a bad smell that is proven not to harm anyone and is present only in tiny areas for a short time is far, far beyond the scope of local government.

Okay, seems fair to me.

Local government is there to maintain safe and orderly streets, not act as the smell police.

So basically, as long as you keep your hands to yourself and don't start any riots, you should be free to do as you wish?

I really like that idea and would be willing to embrace it, as long as we apply it consistently.