BCT Editorial – 10/1/06

This page was last updated on October 1, 2006.

Spread it around; Editorial; Beaver County Times; October 1, 2006.

Let’s look at the Times war on property rights. This is the sixth anti-smoking editorial since May 28^th. The previous five were “Straggling behind,” “Salutes & Boots,” “Smoked out #1,” “Smoked out #2,” and “Trendy #2.” Last year we had a flurry of four anti-smoking editorials within two months (3/31/05 – 5/31/05). They were “Momentum,” “Banned in Beaver,” “Get used to it,” and “Trendy #1” and the comments in those critiques apply to this editorial as well.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject editorial.

“Follow Allegheny County’s and Philadelphia’s lead and ban indoor smoking statewide

“From one end of the state to the other, smoking is soon to be banned in most workplaces.

“Now, it’s time to do something about what’s in between.

“On Tuesday, Allegheny County Council approved an ordinance that would ban smoking in most workplaces, including bars, clubs and restaurants.

“The Associated Press reported the legislation also calls for a ban on smoking within 15 feet of any building’s entrance or exit, on subway platforms, and in pool halls and bowling alleys.

“Specialty tobacco stores, private homes and some hotel rooms would be exempt from the ban. Nonprofit organizations can apply for a waiver to allow smoking at fund-raisers.

“What was really heartening about council’s decision was the margin of the vote, an overwhelming 14-1. That huge differential is an indirect indication of where public sentiment is on this issue.”

[RWC] Since when did the Times care about “public sentiment?” Remember, in the recent editorial entitled “Ignorance isn’t bliss,” the Times referred to as ignorant the 2/3’s of us who didn’t see things the Times’ way.

“Despite a veto threat from Chief Executive Dan Onorato, county council did the right thing.

“Philadelphia’s smoking ban went into effect last Monday, joining many states and cities that have done the same. Smoking is banned in restaurants and bars in California, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, and more are on the way. A number of cities have taken the initiative as well.

“The movement has gone international, too. Britain, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Sweden ban indoor smoking, and France will join their ranks on Jan. 1.”

[RWC] As I’ve written before, I don’t really care what other countries do.

“There’s movement on the private front as well. Many chain restaurants have gone smoke-free, as have a number of private employers.”

[RWC] I believe owners banning smoking on their property is fine regardless of their reasons. As a nonsmoker, I applaud it.

“The one place where the smoke-free message still hasn’t sunk in is the Pennsylvania General Assembly, where a bill that would ban smoking in workplaces throughout the state has been bottled up in a House subcommittee, in large part because Democrats on the panel won’t support it. Perhaps the 14-1 vote by Allegheny County Council will stiffen the spines of those lawmakers who have one.”

[RWC] Ah, name-calling. Always the hallmark of a solid position – not.

“It’s time for these lawmakers to see the light, as their counterparts have in Allegheny County, Philadelphia and other parts of the country and the world, and take this smoking ban statewide.”

[RWC] In case you haven’t noticed, not one of the 10 anti-smoking editorials since March 2005 has addressed the issues of individual choice and private property rights. As I’ve written before, no one forces a nonsmoker to patronize or work for a business that allows smoking.

Why doesn’t the Times just admit it wants a complete smoking ban regardless of location? Why don’t they just push to make smoking tobacco illegal?