REPEAL THE BAN Columbia Restaurant/Bar Smoking Ban

Why we oppose a smoking ban in Columbia

Boone Liberty Coalition Smoking Ordinance Postition Paper

The Boone Liberty Coalition researched and wrote a position paper on the proposed smoking ban which was provided to the Mayor and City Council June 12th, 2006. You can view the Boone Liberty Coalition Smoking Ordinance Postition Paper as a PDF.

Let the Free Market Work

The free market system has already created an ample supply of no smoking options. Right now everyone in Columbia - owners, customers and workers - has ample choice in restaurants. We can choose price, fares, style, and more, including smoking options. The free market is satisfying the needs of all citizens. For non-smokers, the Boone County Coalition for Tobacco Concerns lists 39 Columbia restaurants and 13 restaurant chains that privately ban smoking. When you include all the locations for the restaurant chains there are over 100 restaurants which are smoke free in Columbia.

Currently, owners can serve the needs of the clientele they know best, customers can freely choose to enter the restaurant of their choice, and workers have a wide variety of employment choices.

Columbia does not need a one-size-fits-all regulation. We need to preserve our current diversity and choice. We do not need to argue about or regulate the rights of smokers and non-smokers. They both have rights and the market is serving both of these groups.

Private Property Rights

A restaurant is private property. The city council has the authority to regulate public property. When you go to city hall, the police station or any other public building, there are no options. Without free choice to go somewhere else, the council is well within its boundaries to regulate these environments.

A restaurant, however, is not public property. A restaurant is private property to which the public is invited. It is no different than inviting guests to your home.

While government agencies regulate restaurants for risks which are difficult for the customer to determine (e.g, food poisoning, asbestos), anyone entering a restaurant can determine its smoking policies and assess the risks for themselves.

The liberty-oriented method to resolve conflict is through the institution of property rights. Each owner decides how to use his or her property. The end result is a diverse environment that addresses the likes and needs of all citizens.

Employees Have Free Choice

Employees have free choice. There are plenty of job opportunities in Columbia. A restaurant worker who wants a smoke-free environment can readily find such a position (remember, there are over 100 restaurants in Columbia that fit this criteria; this is a level of opportunity that many other career choices do not offer).

Life is not without risk. Jobs are no exception. Each one of us makes a decision on how much risk we are willing to accept. Police officers, cab drivers, fisherman, construction workers, pizza-delivery drivers, bike messengers and office workers all have inherent risks. Many restaurant employees have knowingly and willingly accepted the minimal risk of secondhand smoke to enjoy their career of choice.

Finally, there is no evidence that restaurant workers want to accept less risk. There is no groundswell of rebellion among this segment. Many enjoy working in restaurants and bars that serve the smoking public because of personal and economic reasons.