Matt Schwei wrote:
In a free market, it is consumer demand which directly affects supply.
Based on the (lack of) supply of smoke-free bars, I would say that consumers
are demanding the freedom to smoke in drinking establishments.
Matt's conclusion is faulty. IF IT WERE a free market, then yes, the lack of smoke-free bars would indicate there was little to no market for such a thing. But is is NOT a free market, consumer demand does NOT directly affect the supply. We have hundreds of years of history, distorted by ever larger and more powerful tobacco companies, aided and abetted by one of the most addictive substances known to man-kind, and catalyzed by the fear, uncertainty and doubt accompanied by any kind of change.
*/This is why I am in favor of a ban which sunsets in 30 or 40 years, when the free market will be far closer to operative, and consumer demand can then determine the supply of smoking and smoke-free bars./*
In another vein, I think letter write Jason Little in today's Star Tribune letters to the editor makes some good points (http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/4824641.html):
"Bar owners are perpetuating the absurd myth that smokers will refuse to ever leave their house, if they cannot smoke and have a drink at the same time. Just because I am a smoker it does not mean that I am insensitive and want to willfully hurt others with my secondhand smoke.
I wish the hospitality industry would stop trying to speak for me and my "right" to hurt other people with my addiction. Besides, the ban might help me and others quit, and spend that money on the local economy instead of tobacco from the South!"
Chris Johnson - Fulton
*/ /*
REMINDERS:
1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.
For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
