John A. Lovra – 4/17/05

This page was last updated on April 17, 2005.

Right to breathe clean air; John A. Lovra; Beaver County Times; April 17, 2005.

This is my standard disclosure regarding the smoking topic. I’ve never been a smoker. I prefer not to be in places where people are smoking – the smoke irritates my eyes and throat – and I hate the smell of smoke on my clothes. I don’t permit persons to smoke in my car or home. That said, I don’t believe the government should take away property rights to further the anti-smoking crusade.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“So, letter writer Tony DiTomasso [sic] is upset that The Times printed an article praising two restaurants that chose to be smoke free (‘Burned up over smoking ban,’ April March 31) [sic] and has decided to withhold his business from these establishments.

“That is his choice, and his right.

“What bothers me most about his letter is that he has the audacity to compare his treatment to the discrimination that black Americans have endured.”

[RWC] It’s true Mr. DiTommaso went over the top with a comparison to racial discrimination. I doubt, however, this is what bothered Mr. Lovra most about the letter.

“Why not make a more accurate comparison? He is now beginning to see the way that non-smokers have been treated in the past.”

[RWC] How far in the past does Mr. Lovra want us to look? The anti-smoker campaign has been in progress for at least three decades.

“No matter what is done to separate smoking areas from non-smoking, there is one simple fact that cannot be denied. Smoke cannot be contained. It travels. Many times, I have my meal ruined by smoke, that for some unknown reason, refuses to stop at the imaginary wall between the two sections.”

[RWC] “Many times, I have my meal ruined by smoke?” I have a hard time believing this. In any case, why does Mr. Lovra keep going to these places? Just as Mr. DiTommaso can choose to patronize establishments that allow smoking, Mr. Lovra can choose not to patronize these businesses. The proper solution is to allow property owners to choose their smoking policy and let customers choose where they want to eat, drink, et cetera.

To the best of my recollection, the last time I had a meal “ruined” was over 10 years ago when on a business trip to Germany. The only open restaurant when I arrived was so smoky a cloud literally rolled out the door when we entered.

“I, for one, am thrilled that non-smokers are finally exerting their power and demanding their right to breathe clean air. I am sure that Mr. DiTemasso’s [sic] business will not be missed by these two restaurants because there will be many non-smokers including me, filling up the seats left empty by those who choose not to eat there.”

[RWC] You’ll notice that while he touts his “right to breathe clean air,” not once did Mr. Lovra mention the rights of the property owner.