Jump to full article: Monroe (MI) Evening News, 2008-05-04
Author: Charles Slat
Intro: Mario DeFelice wants it known that smokers are welcome at his Silver Star Bar in beautiful downtown Scofield.
He also wants it known that non-smokers are welcome.
A sign outside his place says "This is a smoking establishment. People should make their own choice. Not politicians."
Mr. DeFelice says his place draws a crowd from miles around to eat steak, fish and other meals served on foam plates. . . .
Mr. DeFelice went to Lansing last year to testify before a committee considering smoking. He had a suggestion for lawmakers.
There ought to be a law, he said, that requires all establishments - bars, restaurants, pool halls, bowling alleys, stores and other businesses to post prominently whether smoking is banned or permitted on the premises.
He says some lawmakers looked at him as if he was crazy. To him, the idea seems a reasonable free-market solution.
His point argues for consistency. If the government says smoking will kill you or make you sick, then it should outlaw it. If it doesn't have the guts to outlaw smoking, let employers and business owners decide if it should be allowed.
Anything else seems hypocritical.
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