Posted: Sunday, April 20, 2008 12:00 am
DAVID THOMAS
WATERLOO - It is wonderful that Iowa, like the majority of states, has finally passed a public smoking ban. The new law has some flaws, such as an exemption for casinos, but at least we'll be able to breath clean air in family oriented establishments where children might be present.
Opponents of this law have shown just how selfish and inconsiderate some smokers can be. Saying it should be up to the owners of bars or restaurants to decide whether to allow smoking is just as ridiculous as saying it should be up to the owner of an automobile to decide if the car is to be driven while drunk. Second-hand cigarette smoke kills three times as many people as drunk driving. If a person wants to drink or smoke that's their business, but when someone uses alcohol or tobacco in a manner that endangers others it should be illegal period.
Cigarettes kill more people than heroin, cocaine and meth combined. Instead of whining about a few minor restrictions, nicotine junkies should just be thankful they're not being herded off to prison like other addicts.