Smokers Vs. American Lung Association

Sounds like a joke, right? The AP reports:

Smoking rights groups, bar owners and Libertarian political parties are taking aim at some major charities. They say the charities support smoking bans that threaten civil rights and small business.

The groups in nine states complain that charities such as the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association and American Heart Association use their lobbying power to help write state and local smoking bans.

You know, I'm no supporter of cancer. However, I happen to agree with those who are opposing the ACS, ALA, and AHA's recent campaign to get smoking banned in all public places. I have two reasons:

1. Its fine to ban smoking in just about every public place. But why do they have to go after bars? I mean, folks: we're talking BARS here. At the very least, I think they should give us one last place to keep our vices, and a bar seems as good of a place as another.

2. Clearly, this tactic is intended to setup a legal precedent to ban smoking all together. And, if you don't already know why that's a terrible idea, than you're not worth talking to.