Smoking Debate Reunited

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce decision Thursday to urge the General Assembly to ban smoking in Kentucky's public places and raise the tobacco tax sparks a debate over individual rights and society's role in creating a healthy environment.

That's good. As comments on our online discussion board (some of which you see here) already show, there are several sides to this story, all of which are argued passionately.

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Pro- and anti-ban advocates point to a similar rule enacted in Ohio. Since the Ohio began enforcing the ban last May, more than 12,000 complaints have been filed alleging violations - all of which can be seen on the Data Center at Cincinnati.Com.

For all the talk about smoking being a legal activity and business owners having the right to regulate conduct on their own premises, the health hazards of smoking and breathing in secondhand smoke are beyond dispute. Some local jurisdictions, institutions and restaurants in Kentucky already impose bans.

But a key point to note is that the Ohio ban resulted from a voter referendum, not just action by the legislature. If the chamber and other advocates of a ban want to clear the smoke from Kentucky's public places, they should seek the broadest public support possible with a referendum. And they should make sure such a proposal clearly defines such general terms as "public places."

The chamber's other idea - to add 25-cents per pack to the tobacco tax - deserves serious consideration. Such an increase would generate $125 million to $150 million per year for the state that could be used to help pay for improved health care benefits, and anti-smoking educational programs.

The chamber suggested the 25-cent figure because that would raise Kentucky's cigarette tax to the average of the tax in surrounding states.

Smoking is a legal activity, but with its obvious negative health consequences, there is no reason the legislature should make it a bargain.

 The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce asked its nearly 2,000 members in a survey if they favored a statewide ban on smoking in most public places. More than 70 percent of the 800 members who responded supported such a law.

Would you and your family appreciate a smoking ban in public buildings?