Regulations Stifle Business Owners Smoking Preference
Smoking related issues has become a very controversial topic. Some people may agree that cigarette smoking should be regulated while others may think that it is an individual’s choice to smoke wherever or whenever they want to. This makes smoking cigarettes an arguable topic. United States (U.S.) legislators, state governments, and local authorities have been increasingly restricting where consumers can smoke. Legislation has been further limiting smoking in public places which is causing businesses to lose customers. While it is plausible to control smoking in some industries, business owners of strictly adult only enterprises should be allowed to decide whether smoking or nonsmoking preferences help their business to be profitable. Lawmakers that have banned widespread smoking in communities may not understand the economic impact on businesses that depend solely on adult patrons.
For many years, there were no regulations against smoking tobacco products. This allowed the tobacco industry to cash in on the profitable commodity. Smoking became a status symbol. “From the beginning of the 20th century, society[->0] considered smoking fashionable and a status symbol” (Zilli). However, by the 1990s, “The World Health Organization (WHO), seeing smoking as the most preventable cause of ill health worldwide, edged in 1994 a little closer to its objective of a smoke-free world” ("Tobacco"). Arguments that support smoking bans include health concerns and environmental damage. These claims have been key reasons which have bolstered support for lobbyists and local activists. While it is suitable to ban smoking in most public places because of health concerns or environmental considerations, business owners should be allowed to decide if they should remain smoker friendly. Ban opponents concern for individual rights and