From MSU's "The State News"

There are several apparent problems and hypocrisies from the proponents of the smoking ban legislation. First, this would unjustly infringe on the rights of businesses.

Moreover, the need for this ban in restaurants is minimal. If you look at the East Lansing area, aside from restaurant/bars, the only restaurant that allows smoking inside is Denny's.

Therefore, a substantial majority of restaurants don't even allow smoking indoors, so there is no real threat to being subjected to secondhand smoking.

The second major fault is the idea that it will better the health of Michigan residents. With Amy Ann Moore's assertion in "Smoking ban would increase health of public" (SN 6/20), that banning smoking in bars would benefit the "health of the public," I can see where she's coming from.

If you're going to a bar to consume alcohol and eat greasy food, you're already subjecting your liver, kidneys and heart to damage, so it's important to at least spare the lungs, right?

That way, when you're in the hospital years down the line due to multisystem organ failure, you can take a deep breath of antiseptic hospital smell without coughing.

I think it's safe to say most people don't go to bars to feel healthy.

However, if you do genuinely care about health and you are OK with the government restricting something perfectly legal along with business owners' rights, I challenge you to this: Why not start attacking fast food or advocate a ban on trans fat like New York City has done? Why not fight for taxes on Twinkies and other junk food?

Obesity is becoming the No. 1 killer in America and it is just as lethal as smoking.

This is especially important in Michigan, with Detroit being one of the fattest cities in America. This affects everyone, via rising health care costs and more, and it kills people every day.

Enjoying a cigarette with a cocktail on weekends is a minor problem in contrast to obesity.

And if you don't think the government should have the right to tell you what you can eat, then the government should not have the right to tell you where you can smoke, either.

by Amy Boersma, criminal justice junior