The intent of the city ordinance on smoking – to provide healthy public environments by regulating smoking – is honorable. But the intrusive methods and logic backing the ordinance will, on the whole, create more hassle than necessary, and possibly prove ineffective in the end.

The ordinance pits private business owners and their rights against the city of Ames and, theoretically, will enforce regulations on a completely legal act. While this may provide a smoke-free environment, whether the city truly has the right to regulate what occurs in a private business remains questionable.

Many of the key points of the ordinance are unnecessary, such as prohibiting smoking within 15 feet of a business’ main entrance and not allowing minors to be in any area in which smoking is permitted, even if they are accompanied by their parents.

Enforcing the regulations will be a hefty task. Owners who are losing money due to the ordinance will likely not be enthusiastic about helping enforce it.

Also, the ordinance does not affect private clubs and organizations, although entrance to these buildings is not always limited strictly to members. So consumers looking for a restaurant which will allow them to smoke can easily take refuge in them, while other restaurants and bars will lose business.

We appreciate the city’s attempt to create a smoke-free environment to appease the needs of non-smokers. But the ordinance, as it is now, is an intrusion on the rights of private business owners and their customers.

editorialboard: Michelle Kann, Tim Paluch, Zach Calef, Ruth Hitchcock, Cavan Reagan