I'm a reasonable guy. I support non-smoking sections. As a matter of fact, I don't smoke in family restaurants at all. I support no smoking in public places where non-smokers may be forced to be. This would include government buildings, schools, malls, hospitals, cafeterias, and things of this nature. Banning smoking in places where it's completely optional for a person to be, such as bars and bar and grill restaurants, cigar bars/stores, outdoors, etc. is simply nothing but harassment. I mean come on! What non-smoker frequents a smoking lounge anyway? This is the kind of zero tolerance crap that is becoming so popular in legislation and general rulemaking these days. It simplifies enforcement, and relieves officials of the burden of making judgement calls they are paid to make in the first place. It's CYA, pure and simple. There's no chance of being sued for a bad decision if the rule is zero tolerance to begin with.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people WANT the government to be completely responsible for their health and welfare, and how many freedoms they're willing to give up to get that security. Everyone values democracy over socialism or communism, but many seem too ignorant to understand the difference between them to begin with!