For the First Time, I Voted Against Smokers' Rights.

Today is election day. In my municipality we had an issue on the ballot to ban smoking in most public buildings. For the record, I don't smoke. I can't stand it. It is a slow suicide. It's also an individual right.

I have always voted against: tax increases on tobacco, age limits on smoking, raising tax revenue for non-smoking programs. The whole bit. Always against it, always for the smokers. I'm opposed to raising taxes on tobacco, because if we keep doing it then at some point they will be so expensive the product will be driven underground. Underground activity, by definition, is criminal activity. Limitless taxation on tobacco is a slippery slope to more crime.

I oppose government funded non-smoking programs because it's the smokers' responsibility quit, or even not to start in the first place. Let the free market penalize smokers: increased insurance premiums, lower quality of life, premature death, a slow slide to an unbecoming physical appearance, burns in the seats of their cars.

I oppose government funded non-smoking program because I do not trust politicians will do what they say they will with the money.

But I could never get around one thing.

It's accepted medical science that smoking is detrimental to my health. In fact, I can sue over it and win. So, if I could quantify the damage of second hand smoke, I could sue over that. Most likely in small claims court, but compensation none the less. My point here is second hand smoke is an assault on my health.

So, after years of a non-smoker supporting smokers' freedoms, I have come to the conclusion they need to do it in designated places. Preferably in the privacy of their own homes. At the very least, away from people who choose not to smoke. After all, second hand smoke is assault.