Smoking should be decided by Evanston business owners

I am a smoker. Yes, I know it’s bad for me. Yes, I know some of you think it’s disgusting. No, I don’t care. That said, I am one of the more polite smokers I know. I try not to toss butts, blow smoke in people’s faces, or any of the myriad of things of which we smokers are accused. I am careful that exercising my right to smoke doesn’t infringe on the rights of others.

But telling businesses they can no longer allow smokers their rights is absurd. A public-smoking ban in Evanston would only force smokers to take their business elsewhere. If Evanston residents are concerned about second hand smoke, they should patronize businesses that do not allow smoking.

For example, if a smoking ban is passed there will be no Cafe Hookah. Even the non smoking patrons don’t seem to care about second hand smoke. No one walks into Cafe Hookah without recognizing the perceived risk involved. No one is forced to work or dine or drink in a place that allows smoking. There is no reason to put this place out of business to solve a non-problem.

If you have a problem with our particular vice, no one will force you to endure it. Many of us don’t mind a little carcinogen for some atmosphere and some blues. If you want to give owners a tax break for making their establishments smoke-free, go right ahead. That would not directly kill an immigrant business.

When Jonathan Perman, executive director of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce, told The Daily, “This regulation of private business simply creates a new list of winners and losers,” I believe he knows who those losers are going to be.

Let’s look out for our fellow human beings’ rights as smokers and as business owners to conduct their lives and businesses as they see fit. This country preaches freedom, yet all we seem to want to do is take those freedoms away.

Jesse Born

Communication junior

Community should attend NU, not Blackhawks game

Although I appreciate the free tickets for tonight’s Blackhawks game, I cannot help but feel a little confused. Earlier this year Associated Student Government passed a bill, which was recently adopted by Northwestern’s Board of Trustees, which tacked a $25 fee onto tuition allowing students to attend football and men’s basketball games for free. ASG hopes this athletic fee will encourage more students to attend athletic events, thus facilitating a sense of community here at NU.