Learn more about Senior Seminar Editorials here. View a list of previous editorials here.
A Senior Seminar Editorial by Kathleen Coombs, MHS 2010
A recent article in the Argus Press reported that local bar owners in the latest state to establish a smoking ban are furious. Michigan is the 38th state to go “smoke free” in restaurants, bars, and workplaces. The bar owners argue that the states of their businesses are heavily dependent on the customers’ ability to smoke and they fear for the success of their establishments after the ban takes effect. The smoking ban is considerate of the workers in these establishments, and is a step towards a healthier country.
Tim Law, the owner of the Rainbow Bar in Michigan, argues that if the workers do not want to work in smoky bars they can find a job elsewhere. He claims that second hand smoke has been a regular thing in his life. He is extremely close minded because he does not care about his workers. They should be able to work anywhere without having to fear getting lung cancer or constantly coughing from inhaling foul cigarette smoke. Cigarettes are disgusting and extremely hazardous to the health of human beings. In truth, the country should stop wasting their time and just eliminate smoking in restaurants and ban in it in society. They are one big waste of money that only have one benefit, and that is cancer. Law needs to stop complaining about the fact that his business has been run on smoking for 76 years because if that is really true than the Rainbow bar is clearly a train wreck of an institution.
Some are even complaining that the smoking ban is just another sign that the United States is turning into a controlling society. They believe that this is affecting people’s freedom and their right to do whatever they want. They think that this is just making Michigan’s economy worse and not doing anything to benefit.
However, some businesses say the new smoking ban will have no effect on them. Restaurants like Applebee’s and Drew’s Steakhouse hope to see a rise in business with the smoking ban because they believe that without the fear of cigarette smoke they will be more willing to bring their children out to eat. This is what the smoking ban is for, so that families do not live in fear of going out to eat and worrying that their children will develop lung cancer from second hand smoke.
While businesses are in fear of failing, they do not look on the bright side seeing that the smoking ban could help some overcome their addictions to cigarettes. If these bars are surviving solely on the customers’ ability to smoke then they are clearly awful institutions therefore they deserve to suffer. The smoking ban is for the good of the people and the business owners need to get over their worries. Hopefully in time all states will have a smoking ban.