The following "letter-to-the-editor" was written by Canadian Property Rights Research Institute (CanPRRI) Advisory Board Member, Chris Delanoy, in defence of the Institute's position on smoking regulations vs. property rights: "Restaurant Isn't Public Property", Edmonton Journal, April 21, 2000
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I'd like to express my outrage at the comments of Les Hagan of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) regarding the private property rights of bar and restaurant owners. (Edmonton Journal, April 13, 2000) To suggest that publicly accessible property is equivalent to public property is an assault on every vestige of our freedom to own and enjoy private property - the freedom which is at the heart of all our rights. The public enters the private property of bar and restaurant owners at the voluntary invitation of those owners. As a non-smoker, I have the right to decide whether I accept that invitation, on whatever terms the owner sets. The argument that we must "reflect the fact that the majority of people are non-smokers" is specious at best, since the free market always reflects the choices of consumers, especially non-smokers. ASH's own website lists many smoke-free restaurants throughout Alberta - all of which removed smoking in response to just such a market demand. I applaud the continuing efforts of the Canadian Property Rights Research Institute to defend my right to private property against the tyranny of a smoking ban in Alberta's bars and restaurants. Chris Delanoy, Edmonton Visit our website for more information about a potential smoking ban in Edmonton bars and restaurants. Matthew Johnston info@propertyrights.net |
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