It’s Just A Flesh Wound
…and cracking down on smokers is harmless according to Ontario Premier McGuinty, who is pushing for another strict law regarding where people cannot smoke, the new target of choice being their cars if children are present.
Apparently people are now too stupid to make their own choice and we now need a nanny government to make it for us. Never mind that the same nanny government costs the province about 350 million in lost gaming revenues each year after the provincial ban came into effect in 2005. Revenue that could be used to aid the local economy, fund schools, healthcare and other much needed social programmes that benefit citizens.
Never mind the fact that this is a step towards a total nanny state in which we lose the right to be stupid, make stupid choices and do dangerous things that thrill us, even if some wet blanket is sitting on the side lines telling us, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Great, I’m glad you have an opinion because here’s mine: we’re adults, we’re perfectly capable of making our own, even if stupid, choices.
As a non-smoker, you’d think I’d be in the ranks of those who are calling for the stricter rules but I don’t agree with those rules one bit. I agree that there should be comfort zones; places where one can be where there is no smoking permitted; ie: logical places, like work places, healthcare facilities. Away from entrances. Compromise is important. Which is why one draws the line at outdoor areas, including patios…
What’s next, we’re going to start evicting people from their own homes for smoking cigarettes, which are perfectly legal according to all levels of government despite efforts to demonise the cancer sticks?
Perhaps it is just something that is only heard of in books, or maybe it has really happened…
According to the Canadian Press on June 17th 2005:
A Boston couple has been evicted for smoking in their apartment.
A condo complex in the city’s south-end threw the couple out for smoking heavily in their home. Their neighbour, Siobhan O’Connor, says their apartment smelled horrible.
The couple’s lease didn’t say anything about no smoking, but a Boston housing court upheld the eviction. The court says their pack-a-day habit violated a general ban on any health hazards.
It’s believed to be the first ruling of its kind. The couple plans to sue.
Even though the lease made no explicit statement regarding the use of cigarettes.
Evicted for not breaking the law. What kind of democracy is this? Is this even a real democracy or is this just another example of the seedy underbelly, the dark side of democracy we want to pretend only exists in countries where democracy is merely a sham? Why evict someone for not breaking any rules? Seems rather arbitrary.
Too bad someone didn’t tell the landlords who are evict happy and prefer to have “smoke free” buildings that people can smoke on the balconies or next to windows, thus emitting the smoke outward.
This is just another draconian move to suppress a corner of the market while preying on those who are easily addicted to nicotine.
Today it’s banning smoking in cars with children, tomorrow it’s banning junk food… and I for one still enjoy my french fries and chocolate bars. If smokers aren’t defended, then it’s fat people next, which means all “skinny” people who have a sugar jones will suffer. It’s a slippery slope and we don’t have to tolerate this infringement on our rights.
I hate cigarettes and cigarette smoke, but I hate the government even more, especially when the government tries to tell people what they can and cannot do. I know who I support. Do you?
Stumble It!
