It is laughable to hear the discussion about the proposed ban on workplace smoking in the Legislature. To hear the opponents of the measure, you would think the lawmakers are banning smoking altogether. They wonder if cheeseburgers will be banned next. They declare that smokers have rights to smoke in public places. They hem and haw about people choosing where to work and choosing where to dine.

First of all, let&8217;s clear the air. No one proposes to ban smoking.

No one.

If you want to smoke, you still will be able to smoke, if the legislation passes. And the bill has faced its toughest opponents and still seems likely to become law.

You just won&8217;t be able to smoke in restaurants, taverns and other workplaces. If you are a smoker, that&8217;s not that bad of a restriction. It&8217;s just making it easier for nonsmokers to not have to breathe smoke-filled air. Heck, it&8217;s legislating what should have been a common courtesy, more than anything else.

Some food is unhealthy, but only for the person who eats it. Cigarettes are unhealthy for everyone in the room. It&8217;s a clear difference.

The arguments on smokers&8217; rights speaks to freedom of choice. OK, can you choose to harm others physically? Can you shoot a BB gun at people in a tavern? No. Can you swing a golf club at a golf ball into a crowd in a tavern? No. Can you blow factory smoke into a tavern? No. Can you allow the kitchen smoke billow out into the restaurant? No.

There are more nonsmokers than smokers. The rights of the many outweigh the rights of the few. In addition, workers have a clear right to a healthy workplace.

Sure, it would be nice to tell people they can go get work elsewhere. Tell that to the unions who fought to improve conditions in the mines and factories. For working people, a job is their lifeline. Quitting can mean not putting bread on the table until a new job comes along. It is arrogant for opponents to argue that people can simply change jobs. Try being poor first.

As for choosing a restaurant, children don&8217;t get to choose what restaurants their parents take them to. Business employees don&8217;t always choose what restaurants their supervisors use for lunch meetings. Nonsmoking sections aren&8217;t really smoke-free, either. And like tavern workers, restaurant workers face the same carcinogenic pollution.

Look, the smoking ban at workplaces won&8217;t be that bad. Many states have it. Families appreciate it. Smokers get used to it.

People are worried about businesses surviving. My goodness, what about people surviving?! The law will get our priorities straight.