To the editor

Lawrence has long been one of my favorite towns — the more so now that I don’t have to endanger my health and safety just to conduct public business there. The restrictions on smoking in enclosed public places reflect both the wisdom and responsibility of Lawrence city officials.

The odd thing is that some are lamenting the possible reduction in profits previously enjoyed by certain establishments that used to routinely expose their workers and customers to harmful tobacco smoke. They’re missing the point. If an enterprise bases its profit margin on being allowed to injure or kill employees and patrons, society has every right to tell them to cease and desist. No one has a right to harm others in order to pay their own bills.

Restaurateurs have to engage in safe food handling, even if it costs them extra and reduces their profits, to prevent food-borne illnesses among their customers. Mining operations are, or should be, expected to bear extra expenses necessitated by safe waste disposal practices — for the public good. There are numerous accepted precedents for denying businesses the ability to prosper by engaging in practices that harm the public.

So some bars might — might — “suffer” reduced business because of maintaining a less toxic ambiance? Boo-hoo! Talk to a bartender with a racking cough, or lung cancer, if you want to know what “suffering” means.

Dr. Jon Hauxwell,

KU ’70, ’74, ’77,

Hays