Free Keene

Earlier this week the New Hampshire Senate passed a smoking ban that will bar smoking in all restaurants and cocktail lounges in the state. Supported both by many republicans and the new wave of democrats, the bill suppresses business owners’ ability to make decisions about their businesses. Individuals who frequent bars and restaurants are not forced into a smoking atmosphere, they make the decision to patronize such establishments on their own. In the same respect, workers are not forced to breathe in second hand smoke. Bar tenders and wait staff are free to quit and work for a restaurant or bar that bans smoking voluntarily.

The question now is what the unintended consequences of this new legislation will be. It is a known fact that many people like to smoke when they drink, even if they are not regular smokers. There are hundreds if not thousands of smokers who frequent the bars that run up and down Main Street. in Keene. This smoking ban is not going to make those smokers disappear, so two things will probably happen. Some smokers will frequent bars for less time, if they choose to go out at all, and local business will suffer as a result. Business owners will have less money, and bartenders will get fewer tips. This is not to say that all smokers will be deterred from frequenting and staying at smoke free bars, but most will still smoke cigarettes. Because they are no longer able to smoke inside the establishment, many drunk smokers will go outside and smoke on the street. I guess local officials are also handling the situation that the rise in public intoxication arrests will bring, that is if they are able to push the proposed new jail through.

While the smoking ban sounds like it makes sense to many people, like all regulations there will unintended consequences. Hopefully this bill will eventually be repealed and business owners can take back their property rights. Until then I encourage Keene residents to push for a local referendum in decent of this ant-liberty legislation.