EDITORIAL: Smoking ban

Publication Date: 2005-03-13

• Author:Editorial
• Publication:Las Vegas Review-Journal

The American Lung Association, which backed the signature gathering with the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association, says the question is deliberately vague to make it as restrictive as possible.

There is no denying that smoking can have severe health consequences. But this initiative has a Trojan horse quality that should give even militant nonsmokers pause before they vote.

If this question is approved in 2006, it will become state law that cannot be changed for at least three years. The three national health organizations should be upfront about the nature of this question: It is a California-style prohibition on an otherwise legal activity.

If they take their lead from the trial lawyers, who hid in the campaign shadows last year, hoping voters wouldn't figure out their dishonesty, they probably won't get the result they desire.