Not all support smoking ban

I am writing in response to the featured article in the IDS Weekend entitled "Banishing the Butts: Smokers shunned from bars by Bloomington cigarette ban." (Jan. 13). The IDS Code of Ethics states in the very first sentence that, "The Indiana Daily Student is, first and foremost, a newspaper dedicated to the accurate presentation of the news of its community." \nAnd yet, I have not seen nor heard of an article so sarcastic and biased since the last time I read The Onion. \nThe title itself was a not-so-thinly veiled attempt at name calling. Non-smokers to whom I show the article are impressed by the vast quantity of bile it contains. \nContrary to the author's implied belief, this is a controversial issue with more than one perspective, as issues often have. \nThe author gives the strong impression that everyone, including all Bloomington business owners, are happy with the ban; articles from other professional sources clearly show this to be untrue.\nBefore the ban, smokers and non-smokers alike were able to exercise the privilege of living in a town with a free-market economy. They could take their business to whichever restaurant or pub suited their taste. Now, it seems our city government (and members of our student body) have agreed that we are children who do not possess the capacity to make informed decisions for ourselves. \nIn addition, this restricts and prohibits the ability of business owners to operate their businesses as they see fit. \nSeveral other cities with the same goal in mind, such as Fort Wayne, Ind., have come up with ordinances that are more satisfactory for all parties involved. \nIn regard to the subject of children, the irresponsibility of parents who desire to bring their kids to bars needs no additional comment. I have long tried my hardest to be considerate of non-smokers. \nHowever, the militant undertones and uptight holier-than-thou attitude of this article clearly states how little respect and consideration certain individuals have for smokers of conscience like myself. \nNick White\nGraduate student