At Tuesday’s meeting, the Raleigh City Council will consider a ban on smoking in city parks. A member of the parks board says the city doesn’t have the resources to deal with cigarette litter. If this is really the issue, then would that same parks board endorse a ban on kids? Take a look at any area where kids have played and you’re likely to find food and/or candy wrappers, a cup or two, and in winter, a stray hat or glove.
I have a hunch the issue isn’t litter at all. The issue is that some people believe they have the right to ban the use of a legal substance simply because they don’t like it. Welcome to the nanny state.