Ditka tackles ban on smoking
ChicagoSports.com - Ditka tackles ban on smoking:
'Don't impose the will of the few on the lives of the many,' said Ditka, who drew a strong reaction from the audience when he used an expletive to describe the proposed smoking ban.
Go Ditka, Go! I always knew Da Coach was a great American.
The proposal to ban smoking in public places is not a public health issue, it is property rights issue. Restaurants and bars are not public places. Restaurants and bars are private places that are open to the public at specific times and under specific conditions. Under the proposed ban, if I buy a building and open a restaurant, I would not be allowed to smoke in my own building. Next, they will outlaw smoking in our homes. Let restaurant and bar owners decide their target market for themselves. Government interference with their marketing efforts threatens the livelihoods of everyone involved in the industry.
Non-smokers should stop complaining to the government about smoke in restaurants and bars because they are missing a great opportunity. If there are thousands of non-smokers alienated by smoky places, then they should open a smoke free bar, sit back, and watch the money role in.
'Don't impose the will of the few on the lives of the many,' said Ditka, who drew a strong reaction from the audience when he used an expletive to describe the proposed smoking ban.
Go Ditka, Go! I always knew Da Coach was a great American.
The proposal to ban smoking in public places is not a public health issue, it is property rights issue. Restaurants and bars are not public places. Restaurants and bars are private places that are open to the public at specific times and under specific conditions. Under the proposed ban, if I buy a building and open a restaurant, I would not be allowed to smoke in my own building. Next, they will outlaw smoking in our homes. Let restaurant and bar owners decide their target market for themselves. Government interference with their marketing efforts threatens the livelihoods of everyone involved in the industry.
Non-smokers should stop complaining to the government about smoke in restaurants and bars because they are missing a great opportunity. If there are thousands of non-smokers alienated by smoky places, then they should open a smoke free bar, sit back, and watch the money role in.
Grace, Love & Peace August Ecklund at 12:13 AM
2 Comments:
Isn't it a question of the environment you create for your employees, the waiters, waitresses, and bartenders who have to breathe the air of your restaurant for eight hours a day? Are you willing to be liable if they get lung cancer from your second-hand smoke? It's all well and good for Ditka and his rich patrons, but what about their servers?
Personally, I am glad there are places in my community where people can eat and smoke at the same time, but I won't take my kids to them.
BTW, aren't you thankful to have a gadfly buzzing around your blog? I won't always bug you on it, but I am procrastinating my sermon. It's always fun to debate!
You might be the only person reading this blog much less commenting on it. So yes, I am very thankful. Maybe I should rename the blog the Ecklund-Lemonholm Debates.
One of Ditka’s points is that his business depends on smokers, so he caters to them. If he does not allow smoking in his restaurant, then smokers will stop going and he will go out of business. For the employees it becomes good news bad news. First, the good news, we will not allow smoking in the restaurant so you can work in smoke free environment. Now the bad news, since we do not allow smoking we lost all our business and we have to close, so you are fired.
The employees that are truly bothered by the smoke should probably leave and get jobs elsewhere. If the remaining employees are concerned about their health, they should try negotiating for better ventilation and/or health coverage. My guess is that most value their jobs and are fine with the conditions or they would have left already.
The beauty of the free market is that wherever there is a large group of people with a common need, there are marketers there trying to satisfy that need so they can make money. If for some reason, there are no smoke-free restaurants for you and your children, than open one. If there are others like you, you will make lots of money. If others complain to the government and outlaw smoking everywhere, you will lose your opportunity.
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