Smoke Free America

Note the cigarette burn right on the heart.

I've never really understood the point of banning smoking in public spaces. All it serves to do is marginalize a large portion of the population. And when it comes to bars, it's really just bad business. When it comes down to it, a bar is a private business, so the owners should be the ones who make the choice between smoke-free/smoker-friendly. I'm sure there are a good number of owners who would willingly designate their businesses to be smoke free; and I'm also sure that there are a good number who could not care less. Let the owners make the decision, not the government. As a smoker, I would probably end up in some smoke-free places given my circle of friends, and I wouldn't smoke in these places. However, I would also end up in places where it's perfectly fine to light up, and I would do so. Immediately. It's not really a bar without that familiar haze of smoke.