In defending the proposed smoking ban that would ban smoking in public places and workplaces, Republican House member Rep. Jeff Barnhart, R-Cabarrus offered this brilliant little nugget:
“Property rights are important, but your health rights are more important,” Barnhart said.
First, what health rights? Jeff, this is a helpful guide to rights.
Jeff, here’s the thing: You don’t have to expose yourself to second-hand smoke. You have what I like to call a “choice.” So your “health rights” already are protected–by you!
The ban isn’t a conflict between property rights and health rights–it
is a conflict between the “right” for people like you to be free of
smoke everywhere
you go and freedom, property rights, and other individual rights.
I’m sure you’re a great guy, but I’m going to have to say that freedom
and individual rights are more important than your desire to impose
your wishes on everyone else against their will. Even private clubs aren’t protected in this bill.
Personally, I’d like the right to be free of watching big government
state politicians blather on every channel of my television, but I
understand that some networks want to provide blathering state
politicians to their audiences. Amazingly, through not turning on
the television or switching to the correct stations, I can protect
myself from this harm.
Also, could you explain to me how the following has anything to do with protecting people from smoke:
– Prohibiting lodging establishments from having more than 20 percent of their rooms as smoking rooms.
Are you going to die of the smell of smoke?
– Allowing local governments to ban smoking in unenclosed areas such as parks.
– Prohibiting an employer with one employee (who happens to smoke) or
multiple employees (who all smoke) from allowing anyone to smoke.
Is it more dangerous to smoke where you work than in other locations?
– Prohibiting smoking clubs/cigar bars where people go to smoke.
Jeff, it isn’t just about health is it? You hate smoke and never
want to have to deal with it (be it in the air or in the smells of the
walls). Jeff, I hate smoke too. The difference is (and
maybe this is due to my Montessori
preschool education), I avoid being exposed to second-hand smoke.
I choose non-smoking rooms at hotels–it is real easy to do, just say
“Yes” when the front desk clerk asks you if you’d like a non-smoking
room. Remember, because I do want to help, say “Yes” not
“No.” “No” is bad if you don’t like the smell of smoke.
Jeff, if there’s an invisible gun to your head that fires when you
don’t expose yourself to second-hand smoke, then please disregard this
post.
