The Mississippi State Department of Health’s “Smokefree Air Mississippi” campaign is a good example of government intrusion in our personal lives. While it may sound good to “protect everyone from secondhand smoke,” as their website claims, such an initiative is a gross overreach of government that turns its nose up to freedom of choice and American capitalism.
“Smokefree Air Mississippi” states that its goal is to “improve the health of all Mississippians by educating and advocating for a smokefree environment in all public places.” The State Department of Health seeks to achieve this goal through promoting the passage of smoking bans at both the state and local level.
Many cities from the Coast to the Delta have jumped on the smokefree bandwagon, seeking to promote their community as healthy places to live. In fact, according to a press release from the “Smokefree Air Mississippi” campaign dated June 27, 2011, “More Mississippi cities passed new smokefree air policies in 2010 than any other state.”
I understand the temptation of public officials to pander to such bureaucratic whims, to act out of personal preference or public affirmation instead of principled governance. But these cities and their elected officials are contributing to the erosion of individual responsibility and freedom of choice that is increasingly becoming the norm in 21st century America. We must reverse this trend.
The Mississippi legislature, thankfully, has not yet passed a comprehensive smoking ban for the state, although the State Department of Health lobbies for one each spring. The 2011 legislative session was no different. The Senate Public Health Committee voted to “limit a smoking ban to government buildings” citing the concern expressed by a number of senators that “government shouldn’t tell private businesses what to do.” The bill died in committee in the House.
The inherent flaw in the smokefree campaign is how they define “public places.” Contrary to the campaign’s belief, “public places” are those areas where the general taxpaying populace has a right to go, places such as City Hall, the county courthouse, parks and ball fields, and the like. It is perfectly reasonable to expect governments to enact laws restricting behaviors that may offend or cause harm to the general public in these areas, as was demonstrated in the bill passed out of the Senate Public Health Committee. After all, these places are funded and supported by all taxpayers, and thus are subject to the whims of the public majority.
What is not acceptable is government telling a private business owner what clientele he must serve on his own property. Restaurants and bars are private establishments on private property. The public has no right to dine at these businesses; they are not “public places” no matter what “Smokefree Air Mississippi” may tell you.
Our American system of capitalism allows a person to decide what type of business they want to operate and how they then manage that business. Their success or failure is determined by their choices. Business owners, not the government decide who the business will cater to and what services they will offer to their customers, within the parameters of the law. Smoking is still legal the last time I checked. Until tobacco is outlawed, the government cannot and should not seek to force their will on private business owners’ private property through a smoking ban.
For some, this smokefree campaign is a way to reduce the burden of health care costs on state health programs. Others see this initiative as protecting children and employees who cannot protect themselves from the dangers of secondhand smoke. While such sentiments may be commendable, government cannot solve all of society’s ills. Usurping the rights and responsibilities of parents and dictating the clientele of a business borders on statism. Government has simply become too involved in our lives.
Smoking bans are infringements on personal choice through over regulation imposed by supporters of big government. Our personal preferences should not be forced on our neighbors as law. We must stand firm in our nation’s guiding principles of individual responsibility, freedom of choice, and capitalism. I don’t smoke; I hate smoke, but I love freedom more.
