Perry Comes Out Against a Statewide Smoking Ban

State Rep. Charles Perry has finally come out and said that he is against a statewide smoking ban. That's good to hear since the last time I asked him about his stance on the issue he was sitting on the fence.

It's obvious that in his personal life Perry doesn't want to be around smoking and I can understand that. However, when it comes to the state getting involved Perry must be able to separate those personal feelings from laws that will affect each and every one of us. At first it seemed as though he wouldn't be able to, but after today's interview it seems as though his conservative side won out.

I understand people who don't want to be around a lot of cigarette smoke. I'm one of them even though I like to enjoy a cigar from time to time. I don't have any issues being around cigar smoke, but around cigarettes, my sinuses start going to war.

Does that mean I want to ban cigarette smoking? Nope. It's a legal product and I believe that businesses should have every right to determine whether or not they want smoking in their establishments. It's up to me if I choose to spend money with them though. That's how it should be. Let businesses make a decision and let the marketplace determine whether or not they stay in business. It shouldn't be the states role to prohibit smoking inside a private business. I don't think that any form of government should be able to pass smoking bans.

If you support the state banning smoking in all businesses, then where does it stop? Should the state be allowed to ban certain foods? Should the state be able to dictate how the staff dresses? The state should stay out of the way and let businesses set their own destination. At the end of the day it's up to us, the individuals, to determine where we eat. It's called personal responsibility.