Diablevert

Damn My Eyes

Accidentally saw that the smoking ban goes into effect today.

I take heart in Ireland's healthily hypocritical attitude toward pub closing times, and in the fact that, here in New York a year on, there's many a dive where the ashtray comes out as the night wears on.

I really resent smoking bans; if feel they're the government's attempt to force me to quit something in order to support their view of my own good. Nyah-nyah-nyah-nayh, I feel like saying, they're my lungs and I'll fuck 'em up if I want to.

On the other hand, I can't argue that secondhand smoke is good for you. I can and do argue that grown ups get to decide what risks they take, and that people who are that incredibly concerned about the risk of secondhard smoke --- and hearing damage, and vomit stains --- probably oughtn't become bartenders. Leave us the pubs, part of me wants to cringeingly plead. Resteraunts and offices, fine and fine, but leave us please, that simple pleasure, a drink and a smoke to wash away the cares of the day. Let me have that freedom, I don't think it costs you much.

I'm not trying to take away your santictimony, after all.