Second Hand Smoke

[archbishopjabber]

The threat of second hand smoke to nonsmokers health has been used to spearhead many legal movements to ban it from public places. Now I have never smoked in my life and think that it is a disgusting habit, but I have encountered no evidence that warrants legal action to ban smoking from bars and other public places. It would seem to me that if the free market were to be allowed to run, if people really didn't enjoy second hand smoking, it would drive away business and lead to the banning of smoking in these places naturally. Obviously in places such as parks and public buildings it can create nasty smells and litter and can be banned for that reason, but this does not explain the pan in privately owned businesses. Why is the government interfering? What threat are they protecting people from?