[Phantom Lord]

Tell me, what is the difference between the government banning smoking in private businesses and the government forcing businesses to allow smoking?

It should be the absolute and sole decision of the OWNER!

And it isnt stopping at bars and restaurants. NY is considering banning smoking in YOUR CAR!

[TheOtherOne]

It should be the absolute and sole decision of the OWNER!

In a private home fine. In a public business....there are rules. One cannot show porn in a McDonalds or serve alcohol in an ice cream truck. You want total freedom - that is simply not the society we live in. There are rules and regulations - I am not a fan of all or many of them. So long as they are resonable, there is not some huge problem. The owner of a business should be able to decide whatever type of business they want to have - but they need to comply with the rules to have such a business. If they want drinking or smoking or whatever - then they should comply with rules to allow that. Why should smoking not be subject to those same type of rules?

[GWfan]

I don't smoke. I am actually allergic to cigarette smoke, 2 allergists have told me so. I should be the one to want businesses to outlaw smoking, but I, like you, think this decision is up to the owners.

My rights have never been infringed, IMO. I have the freedom to choose to do business at a smoking or non-smoking establishment.

Prop 200 smoking ban was just passed in the nearby town. All this will do is bring more business to my town....as long we don't let the same thing pass.