[Max McGarrity]

On the other hand, there is this thing called “ballot initiative”? Which is utilized by people who know what “democracy” is? When the public voted to ban smoking, it was the will of the people in action. It was needed because the insensitive smokers are unable to smell their own stink, and be sensitive to others! Now you live with the law of the land. You are the cry babies.

I assume you were "educated" in a public school. It might be interesting for you to discover that we are NOT a democracy, and that the decision to make the United States a representative Republic was precisely so we WOULDN'T be a democracy, which is just another name for mob rule (tyranny by the majority is still tyranny).

Oh, yeah, the vast majority of these smoking bans were not put in place with "ballot initiatives," but by fiat of either an unelected health board or local lawmakers who were brainwashed by the professional snake oil pitchmen.

[luckystarmom]

Actually, the whole idea behind the republic is so that states could govern the way that they see fit.

So having a state whose government form is a democracy is perfectly fine.

[philosofy123]

So the elected officials banning smoking is not a good thing, just as the ballot initiatives. What do you think is the proper way to make the stinking offender understand that they stink, and they offend the rest of us with their stink! Obviously, they are not sensitive enough to realize that on their own. Hence, some one has to hit them with a 2x4 to get their attention! You stink! Cover it up, or stay away from people that you offend. The bars and restaurant owners cannot act as a police, and do not like to arbitrate this confrontation between insensitive smokers, and militant intolerant non-smokers, which I am not one! Believe me, I am very tolerant of smokers. I know they need their fix, like any drug addict. My hope is that the new generations of youngsters don't take this stupid habit, however, that is not going to happen.