LPNY HomeLibertarian Party of NY -- Press Release -- Libertarians Seek To Extinguish NY Smoking Bans

Libertarians Seek To Extinguish NY Smoking Bans

Bellport, NY- 9/9/03: Libertarians will fan across New York seeking petition signatures to repeal the smoking bans imposed this year. The petition reads "We the undersigned, whether smokers or non-smokers, agree with the Libertarian Party that bans on smoking in restaurants and bars should be overturned. Bar and restaurant owners should have the right to decide whether to permit smoking or not on their property. The public has the right to choose whether or not to patronize or work there. The government should not interfere with their choices."

Previously, the Manhattan Libertarians held cigarette giveaways at City Hall and Bryant Park in earlier protests against cigarette taxes.

Libertarian State Chair John Clifton, a nonsmoking social worker and former drug abuse counselor, sees smoking bans as violating freedom of choice. ?The city and statewide restaurant ban on smoking is a blow to free choice for all New Yorkers, whether they smoke or not. Yes, smokers do have a liberty right to "choke others" who have chosen to go where people recreationally smoke. Just as patrons have a right to eat fatty meals in front of dieters who have chosen to be at a fast food restaurant.?-

The petition was authored by former State Chair Richard Cooper, a nonsmoker who chairs the Nassau County Libertarians. He contends that ?We Libertarians are pro-choice on smoking. Who should decide whether there should be smoking in bars and restaurants? We say the property owner, not Mike Bloomberg or George Pataki. Whether to work at or patronize an establishment permitting smoking is a choice too. Private property rights, individual liberty, free markets and personal responsibility should guide public policy on smoking. Smoking bans suffocate a person dedicated to freedom of choice like myself, although I don?t like smoking. The Surgeon General of the United States, Richard Carmona, has said he would support banning cigarettes and all tobacco products. The handwriting is on the wall for Americans who cherish freedom and personal responsibility, not just smoking.

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