In 1998, Drew Carey held a sit-in over California's smoking ban in bars. Even though Drew is not a smoker, he smoked that night and called the ban stupid. Three years ago, California enacted a state law banning smoking in bars and other work areas for the sake of employees. Drew felt that "it should be up to each bar owner and the customer to decide whether they want to smoke or not. Drew Carey was not cited by police for the incident, but the owner, Irwin Held, was. Held said, " Today we smoke; Tomorrow it will be beer, and the day after tomorrow it will be liquor. Hopefully they will lift the ban and give people freedom of choice." (Carey, Held, Los Angeles Times 8) Smokers are losing their rights. If nothing is done to stop it, the government will take away all the people. It may not It makes sense to believe such a fallacious statement, but if one person's rights are threatened, sooner or later everyone's rights will be threatened. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Videos I". shouldn't games be banned? Get an original essay The California law came about when bartenders and other employees complained of respiratory problems and eye irritation. Many people who have been in contact with the smoke have eye irritation and breathing problems , but secondhand smoking is not as dangerous as once thought. Taking a look at the study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), you might understand why in March 1998 they stated that smoking does not cause lung cancer as previously thought. that secondhand smoke might even have a protective effect on the lungs. (Dougherty) So, the pressure to make smokers quit is no longer understandable, and taking away smokers' rights is absurd. If California bartenders don't want to smoke in bars, then they should be allowed to post signs and smoke. take care of the problem. On the other hand, if they don't care about smoking, then it shouldn't be up to the government to make it illegal. Two and a half years after the ban went into effect, no smoking violations have been reported against bar owners. People have complained about the ineffective law, but to no avail. The law makes no sense. The bar owner is totally capable of enforcing it, but since half of them are smokers, he probably doesn't care. Remembering the 1930s, Prohibition might come to mind. Initially in some places it was not allowed to drink alcohol, then this spread to the rest of the country. It remained for several years, causing first a decrease in consumption, then a dramatic increase. The smoking is now following the same pattern. In Superior, Colorado, smoking has been banned on restaurant patios. (AP Nov. 7, 2000) Eugene, Oregon, has banned smoking in all bars and restaurants, and adults-only bars, taverns, lounges and bingo halls will be targeted in November. (The Sunday Oregonian) Smokers will be forced out to regain their right to the pursuit of happiness. Penn State won't even be allowed to smoke outside because it makes the grounds too dirty. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette A01) Smoking will soon be completely outlawed. They definitely don't need rights. “Children and their families should be able to play sports, eat in picnic areas and play in sandpits, free from cigarette butts and smoke,” said Pat Etem, executive director of the Los Angeles Regional Tobacco Control Community Linkage. Project. It's ridiculous! How much does a cigarette smoked outdoors do a person? Studies have shown that banning smoking in California bars has resulted in improved bartender health..