By Staff
We applaud the effort by the Berrien County Health Department and the decision by the Berrien County Commission to ban smoking in public places in our county.
However, we're left to wonder if the move, which brought out many strong opinions on both sides of the issue, was worth the effort.
The smoking ban approved Thursday night in Niles really amounts to very little. It prohibits smoking in public places and private businesses. But because of a law passed by the Michigan legislature, municipalities can't limit smoking in bars and restaurants in Michigan.
Aren't those places exactly where a ban on smoking is needed?
Most private businesses have banned smoking in the workplace already. Business owners and managers learned long ago about the ill effects of smoking on computer equipment, other inventory and the health and productivity of their workers – those who smoke and who don't.
Most government offices already ban smoking by employees and the public.
So what's left? That question becomes more relevant when you consider the smoking ban approved Thursday night by county leaders does nothing to stop those who walk outside to public sidewalks to smoke. It only pertains to "enclosed" public places.
Smoking is a nuisance and those who don't want to smoke shouldn't have it forced upon them. That's our right as citizens.
One opponent of the smoking ban who spoke during the public portion of the Thursday meeting in Niles asked, "What's next. Are you going to ban people from wearing hats."
Of course, it's not the same thing. His wearing of a hat does nothing to harm anyone else. On the other hand, smoking kills. That's beyond dispute. If an individual wants to smoke, who cares if they do so alone in the privacy of their own home or car. However, smokers have no right to inflict their toxic habit on others.
The meaningful step those who want to ban smoking should take is to lobby the state's legislature to change the ridiculous Michigan law that protects smoking in bars and restaurants.
That's the only move that will make a difference in our quality of life.