Shouldn’t the business owner be free to choose how to run his/her own business?
We agree, as long as the choice is not one of harming the health and safety of the community, the public, the customers and the employees. Business owners’ rights aren’t a license to endanger the public. It is not left to the owner’s discretion whether flaking asbestos can remain in the facility; whether a fire exit can be padlocked; if undersized wiring is acceptable for high amperage electrical equipment; etc. Government has established codes and ordinances to protect the health and safety of the community, the public, the customers, and the employees. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, M.D. stated emphatically at a news conference in June of 2006 that “unequivocally … the debate is over. The science is clear: secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance, but a serious health hazard that causes premature death and disease in children and nonsmoking adults.” The Massachusetts Dept of Public Health found steeper declines in rates for fatal heart attacks among cities that had strong ordinan
