starbulletin.com/2006/03/21/news/story09.html
According to the Star Bulletin, our State legislature is considering three “health focused” bills: One that would further restrict smoking in public places, one that would ban the sale of flavored cigarettes on the grounds that they are believed to be appealing to children, and one to raise the taxes on cigarette sales. Rep. Josh Green is quoted as saying that by making it more expensive for people to smoke, fewer people will smoke.
I’m ambivalent about how far our government should go to protect us from ourselves. I understand that there is an issue with second hand smoke potentially harming people who don’t smoke. I even agree that people should not smoke (*hides from all the smokers*) just as I agree that I should lose weight, exercise more and eat only healthy foods. But how far do we go? French fry ban or tax? Excess poundage tax? I scoff at the people who sue fast food restaurants because they eat there and gain weight. But there’s got to be a balance between protecting people, personal responsibility and personal freedom to make choices even choices that may not be wise for us.
According to the Star Bulletin, our State legislature is considering three “health focused” bills: One that would further restrict smoking in public places, one that would ban the sale of flavored cigarettes on the grounds that they are believed to be appealing to children, and one to raise the taxes on cigarette sales. Rep. Josh Green is quoted as saying that by making it more expensive for people to smoke, fewer people will smoke.
I’m ambivalent about how far our government should go to protect us from ourselves. I understand that there is an issue with second hand smoke potentially harming people who don’t smoke. I even agree that people should not smoke (*hides from all the smokers*) just as I agree that I should lose weight, exercise more and eat only healthy foods. But how far do we go? French fry ban or tax? Excess poundage tax? I scoff at the people who sue fast food restaurants because they eat there and gain weight. But there’s got to be a balance between protecting people, personal responsibility and personal freedom to make choices even choices that may not be wise for us.
Comment