--- John Harris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: "I'd say it is time for those who don't like the smoking in bars to quite going. Patronize those places who do not allow smoking."
Saaaay, that's a great idea! Let's just let the free market work. We could do that with all the health regulations. Let's stop inspecting bars and restaurants for cleanliness. If someone doesn't want to eat at dirty place, they can just go elsewhere. If workers don't want to put up with unhealthy conditions, well they can work someplace else or, perhaps they can, as Mr. Harris suggests, "pressure" the owners to clean up. Seriously, I'd bet that there are many restaurant owners who are in favor of a ban. After all many of them spend long hours themselves in these places and have to clean up the cigarette stained windows and tar clogged air filters. They're afraid to go smoke free by themselves but would happily do so if everyone else did. I would liken the situation to that in the airline industry. The airlines were happy to have the FAA ban smoking on all domestic flights though none would do it on their own. Unfortunately a small band of vocal owners who can't see past their own noses on this issue are frightening other owners and some local politicians that they'll all lose business if a ban is imposed industry-wide. The free market is a great way to set prices and allocate scarce resources but it is not the answer to every social problem. Smoking is a problem and it needs a governmental solution. Charlie Swope Ward 1 _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
