LETTER: "SMOKE RESPONSIBLY"  

The Samoa News Editor notes that second-hand smoking is an invasion of our individual rights when permission is not asked or given, and I couldn't agree more. However, on private property where the owner allows smoking, permission is implied. If you don't agree with the owner's decision, you can always leave.

The free market regulates the risks of second-hand smoking by putting individuals in charge and making them responsible for their own lives.

But let's take a look at a path the Fono wants to take us by banning smoking through the force of law.

We would have the Fono tell us how and where to establish designated smoking areas. If businesses or individuals violate the law, fellow citizens may report violations to the authorities. Alleged violators then would be imposed with a fine, or they may have to challenge such allegations through the courts.

What we would have in the scenario above are situations that pit neighbor against neighbor, challenging one's trust in his fellow man. It would give rise to needless suspicion and animosity. It would also cost us money imposing fines, and expending government resources with police to enforce this ban.

The real crime here is how this ban would divert our government's attention from protecting the public from real criminals to suppressing second-hand smoking on private property.

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