This was the opinion of Laura Parkinson, member of the U.S. Air Force from 1986 to 1995, at a recent Burlington city council meeting on the question of banning smoking in private clubs like the VFW. To Ms. Parkinson, honor for veterans can come by prohibiting them from peacefully gathering on private property to smoke tobacco. Predictably, the council passed a resolution banning the practice.
Why is there support for these actions? Sadly, I think the primary reason is that people like to go to bars, but don't want to smell like smoke. Forget any talk about the 'Common Good' or the 'Public Interest,' smoking is such tawdry habit and should have no place at "my bar." Consider this letter to the editor appearing today in Vermont's largest newspaper, the Burlington Free Press:
I'm so glad that smoking is being banned in public places and now maybe private clubs too. Since I am a nonsmoker and never have smoked I appreciate my health very much.
I loathed the smell and ill health effects I would have to put up with just to go out and play pool and have a drink with friends. It certainly is atrocious to think that patrons would rather sacrifice the health of bartenders and waitpeople than to simply go outside and smoke, how selfish can you get? Smokers, please respect other peoples' right to have good health even if you don't care about yours, unless, of course you end up in the hospital for respiratory problems and suddenly see the light (excuse the pun please).
ANDREW BOUTIN
Essex Junction
How selfish can you get? asks Mr. Boutin. It seems to be the height of selfishness to ban a peaceful and voluntary practice, like smoking, simply because one wants to visit certain bars without any olfactory annoyances.
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