Ken Schram: How dare we use a legal product in the outdoors?

Summary

There's no conclusive scientific study that proves it's harmful, but the Tacoma City Council passed a law banning smoking in parks, public fishing piers and the Meadow Park golf course, among other places.

Story Published: Oct 22, 2009 at 7:38 AM PST

Story Updated: Oct 22, 2009 at 6:55 PM PST

Ken Schram: How dare we use a legal product in the outdoors?
SEATTLE -- There's no conclusive scientific study that proves it's harmful, but they passed the law anyway.

Police will not be actively out to corral the dirty doers, but they passed the law anyway.

Yes, thanks to the Tacoma City Council, beginning on Monday, Nov. 2, it will be illegal to for people to smoke in parks, park parking lots, public fishing piers and the Meadow Park golf course, among other places.

In a 6-to-3 vote, the council kicked some butts, literally and figuratively.

Claiming that doing away with outdoor smoking is a way to protect young and old from the dangers of second-hand smoke, the new ordinance comes with a $25 fine for any filthy social degenerate discovered to be puffing away in a public park.

The fact they really have nothing to back up that outdoor second-hand smoke claim is of no consequence.

They saw their duty and they did it.

But the truth is this: It's not about health.

It's not about littering.

It's all about political correctness merging with political power.

It's about demonizing people who have the audacity to use a legal product in an outdoor public setting.

Oh, and it's also about picking their pocket for $25 if they get caught.

Next up: A ban on offensive perfume.

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