Business Decisions Should Be Made
By Business Owners

In my local paper there was a story of a New Hampshire Karaoke bar owner who banned a designated driver because she didn’t drink. She went to the liquor board and the police, only to be told it was a management decision.
A stupid decision, in my opinion.
I would happily accommodate one non-drinker to bring in the groups of friends, but that’s not the issue. The issue is the state-controlled liquor board did the right thing. It stayed out of it. Business owners should be able to decide for themselves things like non-drinkers, smokers etc.

If I were willing to risk losing business by allowing smoking in my restaurant. that should be my decision. (Interestingly, I decided Doogie’s would be non-smoking while I was still a smoker ). And if I decide to prohibit obscene tee-shirts from my establishment, ( which I do ) that should also be my decision. You DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT to eat in my restaurant. YOU HAVE THE PRIVILEGE. But you do have the right to make the decision whether to patronize my business, based on my business policies, quality, cleanliness,etc. It’s an agreement between you and me. NOT THE GOVERNMENT. Furthermore, your free speech rights do not
include offending me or my customers in MY PLACE OF BUSINESS.

The other half of the same argument is the employees.
They have the right to choose whether or not to work any place that allows smoking. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that second hand smoke is unhealthy. But it’s not the business of the government to tell us what to do. If, in fact, I am wrong, then let the government step up to the plate and ban smoking, shut down the tobacco companies, and kiss the lobbyists bye-bye.

I do agree with no-smoking policies in public buildings and other places where people must go to perform mandated actions, such as the D.M.V. You have to go there to renew your license. Or City Hall.Private businesses are a totally different situation. Or should be.