As Good As It Gets
The Indiana House and Senate today will vote on a smoking ban that advocates don’t like, can’t stand and just find plain morally offensive. But it will also be about as good as a ban that they will ever get.
The highlights of smoking ban compromise are as follows…
- Smoking is allowed in bars and taverns as long as no one under 21 is allowed.
- Not-for-profits and fraternal clubs could have smoking and allow minors as long as the minors are not allowed in smoking areas and the clubs vote every two years on whether to stay smoking.
- Smoking is banned in mental health, nursing facilities and charity gaming events.
- Local governments could pass tougher restrictions and not be preempted by state law.
The American Cancer Society opposes what they call a weakened ban. However, the Indiana Chamber, which supports a smoking ban, says a total ban is unrealistic and lawmakers should pass the proposal. Brad Klopfenstein of the Tavern League of Indiana said the compromise is something his members can live with.
So if everyone else is on board, I don’t see what the Cancer Society’s problem is. 75% of something will always be better than 100% of nothing. The problem with smoking ban zealots, regardless of which end of Market Street they are on, they just can’t accept the reality of the situation. In fact, if they were smart, they should reach out to the bar and tavern owners and work with them and convince them to go smoke free and if not, at least identify which places are smoking and non-smoking and create a job board for servers and bartenders so they can be informed about which places are smoking and they can make better decisions.
But if you can’t see the political forest for the trees, why are you in politics?
