Not only do we live in a free county, but we also live in a capitalist country, so why can’t people who want to avoid smokers choose to spend their money in smoke-free establishments and people who want to smoke choose to spend their money in smoker-friendly establishments? Money speaks loudest of all. If all of the non-smokers stopped going to places that allowed smoking and started spending their money in non-smoking places, business owners who allowed smoking would see a loss of profits and either change their business practices or go out of business. There is no need to make every establishment non-smoking. Adults just need to accept that part of living in a free country is accepting responsibility for the consequences of their own actions.

Let’s say I want to open a bar. As a responsible adult, who is looking to make a profit, I would look at all the pros and cons of allowing smoking in my establishment. On the plus side of making my business smoke free I could include such things as possibly lowering my own health care costs and as well as the health care costs of my employees. I may lose business from the people who want to smoke, but since 80% of the population is non-smokers, I should be able to make a decent profit. On the plus side of making my business smoker-friendly, I could include being able to smoke on my own property (if I were a smoker). My bar would appeal to the 20% of the population who do smoke, as well as people who don’t regularly smoke, but like to when they drink. Because only a small percentage of the population smokes, my bar would have a smaller number of overall patrons, but part of being a successful business owner is providing a service that isn’t being filled. The money from smokers is just as good as the money from non-smokers, and I would be offering them a place to drink and smoke without being harassed.

Let’s say I am looking for a job as a bartender. As a responsible adult, I would look at the pros and cons of working in bar that allows smoking. On the plus side of working in a smoke-free establishment, I don’t have to deal with customers blowing smoke in my face. My health wouldn’t be adversely affected by smoke. And my clothing and hair wouldn’t smell like an ashtray at the end of my shift. On the plus side of working in a smoking establishment, I can smoke at work (if I were a smoker). Maybe the smell of smoking doesn’t bother me and/or I don’t believe that second hand smoke is as dangerous as people say.

Let’s say I want to go out to a bar with a couple of friends. As a responsible adult, I would look at the pros and cons of going to a bar that allows smoking. The positives of going to a smoke-free bar are the same for me as for the bartender. People won’t blow smoke in my face. I won’t smell like an ashtray, etc. On the plus side of going to a smoker-friendly bar, we can smoke if we want to. We’re adults. We’ve seen thetruth.com commercials. If we choose to endanger our own health while we drink, we are in the designated place for that, surrounded by other people who are also choosing to endanger their health.

Whether I’m an employer, an employee, or a customer, ultimately it is up to me to decide what kind of risks I’m willing to take with my life. Mandatory laws about smoking treat everyone like children who are incapable of living their own lives.