I’ve written about the smoking ban in my blog before. I’ve also responded to a number of posts on Facebook. And as I read everyone’s opinion, I’ve discovered the crux of the issue.

Smoking is legal in the United States. So any statewide ban that prohibits this activity tramples the rights of smokers.

Now listen, we all know of the negative affects of smoking and second-hand smoke. We’ve all heard that second-hand smoke can trigger negative affects in people with asthma. We all know how differently a non-smoking hotel room smells from one where smoking is allowed. We all know how our clothes smell after an evening at a bowling alley. It’s for all these reasons that I simply choose to frequent non-smoking businesses. If smoking were allowed in Walmart, I’d be headed to Target. I’m a non-smoker, and I haven’t been exposed to second-hand smoke in years; my choices are simple.

But it seems that while many people are making their argument based on health issues, my argument is made based on the rights and freedoms of Americans who are doing something that is perfectly legal.

But let me be clear. I absolutely agree with all of the health issue arguments. I just don’t think those arguments should lead to a statewide ban of smoking in public places. Instead, those are valid arguments for outlaw smoking altogether. Now that’s something that I’d be in favor of. We can’t smoke marijuana because it’s not good for you. Well, here’s a news flash, nicotine isn’t good for you either.

Outlawing smoking in the U.S. altogether would be a no-brainer. Even the U.S. surgeon general has been telling us for decades how bad it is. But today, smoking is legal. Therefore, smoking is a choice. Likewise, restaurant and bar owners must also have that same choice.