New Hampshire Republicans and the Anti-Liberty Smoking Ban

By Jim on March 2nd, 2007

The pubbies in the NH state house either have a brilliant legislative strategy going here or they’re clueless and don’t know what the hell they’re doing. I’m not sure which or how it’s going to turn out.

Yes, the Senate passed a smoking ban Thursday.

No, we’re not done with the issue yet.

Sure, the House has to pass the measure, SB 42.

But the eight amendments Republicans brought up for debate will come back to haunt them. Democrats want to bring them back for a single vote.

The GOP ideas included bans on smoking in all kinds of places — nursing homes, youth athletic games, veterans and social clubs, and at the State House.

For the record, I’m against the ban as it opens the door to the nanny state here in New Hampshire. The smoking prohibitionists will be back for more later, mark my words. I’m a non-smoker but I’m not an anti-smoker. If businesses choose to allow smoking, that’s fine by me. I can go elsewhere, as can their employees if they wish to avoid smoke. But I don’t back the idea that the state government should be allowed to interfere in private property rights this way.

And let’s face it. Smoking isn’t the real issue here. It’s all about control, power and domination of people and businesses by the state. This ban opens the door for more and more and more regulation and control later on.

Wait and see…

TAKE ACTION: CONTACT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND DEMAND THAT THEY VOTE AGAINST THE SMOKING BAN AND FOR LIBERTY.