Monday, July 28, 2008
Navajos Embrace the Nanny State
Ban includes chewing tobacco
By Marc Kilmer
Filed As: Health Care
It looks like the march of the Nanny State has now reached America's Indian reservations:
The Navajo Nation Council has voted to ban smoking and chewing tobacco in public places on the vast reservation, including outdoor venues such as rodeos and fairs....
The measure prohibits smoking and chewing tobacco in public buildings and shared public airspace, but it does not affect tobacco used in ceremonies for traditional or religious purposes on the reservation, an area about the size of West Virginia that encompasses parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah."I think the council made a wise decision that puts the health and well-being of the people first," said Thomas Walker Jr., the legislation's sponsor and a Navajo Health and Social Services committee member.
What I find interesting is not so much the fact that smoking was banned. After all, this type of thing is being embraced by both Democrats and Republicans in conservative states (Idaho) and liberal ones (Maryland), so it's kind of old news. Furthermore, at least supporters of smoking bans try and use somewhat libertarian arguments ("your second-hand smoke is killing me!") to justify them, even if that rationale is highly suspect. But to ban chewing tobacco? Besides the visual pollution of someone spitting tobacco juice in an empty beer bottle, what harm is someone chewing tobacco imposing on others?
- posted by Marc Kilmer
- 1:43 pm
- 0 comment
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