When North Carolina first suggested banning smoking in bars, some critics used reductio ad absurdum arguments to show that once lawmakers start taking away property rights on “public health” or “welfare” grounds, there was no telling where we could end up. We mockingly wondered, “What next? No loud music? No smelly perfumes?”
Defenders of the smoking ban said such arguments were ridiculous–smoking is a special case because of the supposed dangers (and public costs) of second-hand smoke.
Well, Wake County has proven smoking ban satirists correct. According to the News & Observer,
“Wake County food safety officials, citing their interpretation of state rules, have started telling restaurants that canines are no longer allowed at outside tables.”
And leftists have proven that they just don’t get reductio ad absurdum arguments. (Read the comments – children are next on the “to ban” list.)
