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THE ITALIAN SUPREME COURT:

WORKPLACE SMOKING PROHIBITION IS ILLEGAL

Though kept absolutely quiet by the North American media, on December 11, 1996, with Sentence number 399, the Italian Republic's Supreme Court ruled that the prohibition of smoking on the workplace is contrary to the law.

Having to settle a dispute in a financial institution where certain workers were complaining about the perceived dangers of exposure to second hand smoke (misinformation about the dangers of second hand smoke have landed in Italy, thanks to the US-controlled WHO, and the North American non-profits), the Supreme Court has ruled as follows:

"Even in consideration of Article 2087 of the civil code [...] on which is founded the obligation of the employer to take all necessary measures to protect the health of the workers, it is not allowed, on the basis of this norm, for an employer to lawfully impose a [total] prohibition of smoking in the work area allegedly affected by environmental tobacco smoke."

"The right of the employer to impose an absolute prohibition to smoke is not contemplated [in the Code of Rights]."

The Sentence goes on by establishing that the employer is obligated to provide adequate ventilation to maintain the necessary air quality standards for the health of all employees.

Case closed. Another feather in the hat of a truly free country, where the needs of the non-ruling minorities are recognized, respected, and provided for by the ruling majority.

Smoking is a right, not a privilege. As a right, the people who exercise it are not to be socially marginalized, or otherwise discriminated against.

On the basis of that right, smokers are entitled to perform social functions (work, entertainment, etc.) while exercising their choice.

On the other hand, nonsmokers have the right not to be exposed to second hand smoke against their will.

When these two equally important rights collide, there is to be no prevalence of one right over the other.

The function of the state is to provide protection for all rights. Therefore, accommodation is the only course available.

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